YouthBuild Program Helps Employ 16-24 Year Olds

The national unemployment rate is hovering at around 9 percent, which is bad enough.  But the unemployment rate for teenagers is much higher – 24 percent.  The U.S. Department of Labor is trying to address the high rate of unemployment among young people in this country with their YouthBuild program.

From an event at a YouthBuild facility in Chicago, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced grants totaling $75,848,000 from fiscal year 2011 appropriations to fund 76 YouthBuild programs in 36 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of that amount, $75,411,688 represents total funding for 74 programs. The remaining amount supplements awards for two programs partially funded earlier this year from fiscal year 2010 appropriations.

“Every day in America, 7,000 students drop out of high school. Our nation cannot afford to lose these young people,” said Secretary Solis. “YouthBuild provides an important second chance to earn an education while also developing valuable skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

YouthBuild is an alternative education program that offers individuals ages 16-24 training and practical experience for “in-demand” industry careers. Participants, who also earn high school diplomas or GED certificates through the program, have been in the juvenile justice system, are aging out of foster care, are high school dropouts, and are otherwise at-risk of failing to reach key educational milestones and opportunities that lead to career fulfillment. In addition to receiving academic and occupational skills training, participants develop leadership skills and contribute community service. The Labor Department has administered the YouthBuild program since 2006, awarding its first grants in 2007. In that time, more than 16,000 youth have been served by YouthBuild programs nationwide.