PETOSKEY, MI -- Wednesday, the first informational meeting was held for a new YouthBuild Program in Petoskey and Cadillac. 

Michigan Works, along with the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, are recruiting 17 highschool drop-outs to have the opportunity to learn the construction industry.

They will also get to earn their GED, gain work-readiness skills, improve leadership, and have individual counseling.

The hope is to help individuals get on the right track.

"This is an absolute incredible opportunity for these two communities to start up these Youthbuild programs to serve a population that can sometimes fall through the cracks," said Kim Gribi, the Northwest Michigan YouthBuild Manager.

Those who are interested will have to fill out an application in order to be accepted.

About $4,000 will be given to those who complete the 36-week course.

To learn more about the new programs, CLICK HERE.