DOL funding helps opportunity youth reach key educational and career milestones to become successful in the workplace and become leaders in their communities. All local nonprofit and public entities are eligible to apply for the DOL YouthBuild grant.
YouthBuild USA is the technical assistance provider for the Department of Labor YouthBuild grant and provides actively funded grantees with comprehensive support to successfully implement the YouthBuild program.
YouthBuild USA does not directly run any local programs nor does it participate in the selection of DOL YouthBuild grantees.
YouthBuild was first authorized as a federal program in 1992 under Subtitle D of Title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez national Affordable Housing Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It was then transferred to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2006 and was reauthorized within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) passed in 2014. WIOA designated YouthBuild as a pre-apprenticeship program model.
YouthBuild USA programs are encouraged to develop occupational skills training in other in-demand industries in addition to construction skills training. This expansion into additional in-demand industries is referred to as the Construction Plus component and is a focus of the current administration.
The Construction Plus model allows YouthBuild grantees to use DOL grant funds for training in additional in-demand industries to attain industry-recognized certifications, hands-on work experience in the industry setting, and direct entry into apprenticeships or direct hiring into these industries. Since Construction Plus began in 2012, YouthBuild grantees have used DOL funds to provide training in diverse industries and occupations, including healthcare, information technology, hospitality, and retail services.
YouthBuild USA produced a “Women of YouthBuild” video to celebrate the many ways YouthBuild uniquely champions women in their career pathway journeys. This video was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. It features female staff members, current participants, and alumnae from U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild programs across the country. Their first-hand experiences in construction, Construction Plus, and other in-demand pathways are a powerful reminder of the impact women have on our workforce each day — and how YouthBuild partners with them on their journeys to professional and personal success.
YouthBuild USA also produced short video vignettes that feature Charmaine Davis, southeast regional administrator at the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, and four women of YouthBuild. These vignettes bring further awareness to the incredible work that YouthBuild programs are doing to support young women as they reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities.
Women from U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild programs — including staff, current participants, and alumnae — share how YouthBuild has impacted their career pathway journeys. YouthBuild uniquely champions women through career exploration, partnerships, support, mentoring, leadership, and education.
This video was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Charmaine Davis, southeast regional administrator at the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, shares the importance of disrupting occupational segregation and how the Department is working to place women into non-traditional, male-dominated fields.
Gina Vongkaeo, an alumna of YouthBuild San Joaquin (San Joaquin County Office of Education), talks about how leadership opportunities at YouthBuild helped prepare her for a career as a female painter and leader within her union.
Melissa Correia, program manager and alumna of YouthBuild New Bedford (People Acting in Community Endeavors), shares how YouthBuild helped strengthen her connections with other women.
Tyquanique Jackson-Funtila, case manager at Compton YouthBuild (EntreNous Youth Empowerment Services, Inc.), shares her passion for mentoring young women and how she draws strength from a “you can do it” attitude.
Chris Linder, advocate at Heart of Oregon YouthBuild (Heart of Oregon Corps), shares why it is so critical for women to advocate for themselves and for one another.
