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Arkansas Labor & Employment

June 8th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

YouthBuild is an alternative education program that provides at-risk youth with training in high-demand occupations. The youth involved are often young people who have been in the juvenile justice system, or high school dropouts. Young people aging out of the foster care system or members of other at-risk groups are also accepted.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced a $47 million competition for YouthBuild grants. The announcement came from the Department’s Employment and Training Administration, or ETA. The YouthBuild grants will provide education, training and leadership development for at-risk youth while preparing them for higher paid, highly-skilled positions in construction and other industries.

In 2007, YouthBuild’s renewed emphasis is on post-secondary transitions to education, training and employment. The program also provides stronger links to the One-Stop Career Center system and community colleges. A greater emphasis will be place on participants in registered apprenticeship programs, because such programs lead to acceptance in the industry and professional certification. All of these changes have the same goal. They are geared towards helping youths find good jobs after completing the program. The YouthBuild program was established prior to 2002, as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2006, a White House Task Force recommended transferring the program to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The competition for YouthBuild grants is open to organizations including workforce investment boards, community groups, and faith-based groups. State and local housing development agencies and Indian tribes are also eligible to win the highly competitive awards.

This federal program allows youths to develop skills and get good jobs in the Arkansas labor market. Under the YouthBuild program, young people from at-risk groups develop skills while building affordable housing in distressed communities nationwide. The program provides young people with the opportunity for meaningful work and service to the community, as they are learning. The grants will go to about 100 communities throughout the U.S.