The renewed investment deepens our mutual commitment to opportunity youth and connecting more young people to manufacturing careers.
YouthBuild Global, the headquarters for the YouthBuild movement, has announced a renewed investment from Arconic Foundation to expand and strengthen its Manufacturing and Logistics Career Pathway.
The next phase of support will deepen the workforce development track by preparing more opportunity youth for family-sustaining manufacturing and logistics careers, expanding collaborations with additional YouthBuild programs, developing additional employer connections, and providing new resources across the YouthBuild network for engaging in this work.
By equipping young people with in-demand skills, credentials, and industry experience for the innovation economy, the pathway also helps employers access a committed, skilled, and credentialed talent pipeline.
The announcement comes as the United States celebrates Manufacturing Month, highlighting the essential role manufacturing plays in driving innovation, economic growth, and career opportunities. This investment builds on Arconic Foundation’s generous initial support that helped launch the workforce readiness track in 2023, as well as continued support in years since.
Two pilot manufacturing trainings launched in September, bringing expanded opportunities to young people at Knoxville Leadership Foundation YouthBuild in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Garfield Jubilee YouthBuild in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
These pilots serve as models for other YouthBuild programs, demonstrating how local partnerships and hands-on training can prepare young people for careers in manufacturing and logistics.
“Arconic Foundation’s early investment helped YouthBuild Global lay the groundwork for this vital career pathway,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild Global. “Their continued partnership enables us to bring this pathway to even more local programs, ensuring that young people in communities all across the country have the tools they need to thrive in high-demand industries and keep America’s workforce strong.”
“As a leader in youth workforce development, YouthBuild is uniquely positioned to reach and inspire young people and share the vast potential of career opportunities in the manufacturing industry,” said Ryan Kish, President and Treasurer of Arconic Foundation. “Our partnership will help open doors to dynamic career pathways and empower the next generation to shape the future of manufacturing.”
With the support of partners like Arconic Foundation, Grainger, and more, YouthBuild Global and the YouthBuild network are demonstrating that when young people are provided with access to knowledge, training, and opportunities for long-term professional and personal success, they not only build brighter futures for themselves and their communities, they also strengthen the industries that rely on their talent. To join us in preparing the next generation of America’s workforce, connect with the YouthBuild Global Strategic Partnerships team at partnerships@youthbuild.org.
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 340 YouthBuild programs around the world.
