An average of 30 percent are adjudicated youth who have been referred to the program by the court system, but some programs are designed to accept 60 to 100 percent of participants through court-related referrals. Job Training YouthBuild prepares young people for the working world in diverse ways. At the construction sites, youth receive close supervision and training in construction skills from qualified instructors who are often union journeymen. In addition, weekly classes build work habits and decisionmaking skills and teach students how to manage time effectively, develop career plans, and handle job interviews. Academic Program YouthBuild prepares students for the GED, a high school diploma, post-secondary technical training, or college.
Trainees alternate a week of onsite construction training with a week of classes.
Leadership Development YouthBuild changes the way young people see themselves. Under the guidance of a nurturing staff, students learn to take on responsibility and overcome obstacles. In every YouthBuild program, students develop leadership skills by serving as key decisionmakers within their own programs and providing various forms of service to the community. Since 1993, YouthBuild students have built more than 7,000 low-income housing units. As a result, gutted shells and abandoned buildings become attractive homes in communities that have a critical need for housing.