Collaboration spreads to additional local programs, strengthening talent pipelines across the country for opportunity youth in manufacturing and trades. Photo courtesy of YouthBuild Lake County.
YouthBuild Global, the headquarters for the YouthBuild movement, has launched the second year of its community partnership with Grainger (NYSE: GWW), a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products. Together, they are expanding career pathways for opportunity youth and strengthening the talent pipeline in manufacturing, logistics, and construction — all while serving their local communities.
In YouthBuild programs, young people who are out of school and out of work reclaim their education, gain job skills and credentials, and become leaders in their communities. Within the opportunity youth population, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources. YouthBuild Global is the headquarters for the YouthBuild movement, unifying and partnering with an expansive network of more than 320 YouthBuild programs around the world.
This year, the number of participating local programs expands to 11, with the additions of:
Georgia Building Trades Academy YouthBuild in Atlanta, Georgia
Green Community Builders YouthBuild in Chicago, Illinois
YouthBuild San Joaquin in Stockton, California
Continuing programs in this partnership include:
Aurora YouthBuild in Aurora, Illinois
Isles YouthBuild in Trenton, New Jersey
Riverside County YouthBuild in Hemet, California
YouthBuild KCK in Kansas City, Kansas
YouthBuild Lake County in North Chicago, Illinois
YouthBuild Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky
YouthBuild San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas
YouthBuild Waukegan in Waukegan, Illinois
Local Grainger facilities build relationships with local YouthBuild programs as they work with opportunity youth on job shadowing, mentorship, and other career development and volunteer opportunities. Across these key markets, YouthBuild Global will map labor market needs, promote job opportunities, share the benefits of manufacturing and logistics careers with young people, and coach partners on best practices in recruiting, engaging, training and retaining opportunity youth. This fall, Grainger will host its first virtual growth mindset training to support YouthBuild students as they learn and refine durable skills such as teamwork, problem solving, communication, and adaptability. The sites participating in the training will include: YouthBuild San Antonio; Georgia Building Trades Academy YouthBuild; YouthBuild San Joaquin; and Aurora YouthBuild.
While these young people are trained, credentialed, and ultimately hired into meaningful careers in manufacturing and logistics, local communities will be supported through engagement and community service events like disaster relief kit assemblies, senior care days helping senior citizens with home repair projects, and more.
“America’s future workforce is in our communities right now. They are excited to learn, ready to work, looking for a chance to share their talents, and eager to experience economic mobility because they are contributing to the economy,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild Global. “Our continued collaboration with Grainger will help unlock even more power and potential, allowing opportunity youth in YouthBuild programs across the United States to access the support and experience they need to thrive in manufacturing, logistics, construction, and other essential industries, while adding value and capacity.”
About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2024 revenue of $17.2 billion. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.
