US Department of Labor announces availability of $75 million through YouthBuild grants program to help young people develop job skills

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the availability of approximately $75 million in YouthBuild grant funds to develop programs that will help out-of-school youth complete high school or General Educational Development programs, as well as learn critical occupational skills in construction, health care, information technology and other fields.

"The YouthBuild programs that will be funded through this grant competition will help provide youth at risk of falling through the cracks with the opportunity to develop not only the jobs skills they need, but also the leadership qualities that will enable them to be valuable, productive members of their communities," said Secretary Solis.

The U.S. Department of Labor anticipates serving more than 5,200 young people through 75 grants, ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million each, to be awarded to organizations that oversee education and employment services for disadvantaged youth in their communities.

This solicitation for grant applications is the first to incorporate new regulations for the YouthBuild program that expand required skills training beyond construction to include training in high-demand occupations such as health care and information technology, among others.

YouthBuild is a nonresidential, community-based alternative education program that provides classroom instructionand occupational skills training to at-risk individuals ages 16-24. Participants 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. Participants learn valuable skillsas they build or rehabilitate housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities. Non-construction skills training programs also must include leadership development and community service elements to ensure that youth maintain a connection to their communities through service and volunteerism.

The solicitation for grant applications will be published in the March 8 edition of the Federal Register. Both the solicitation and information on how to apply for a grant are available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm.

For more information on YouthBuild and other Labor Department youth employment programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services.