Lastly, YouthBuild Rockford stresses Coordination with local educational partners, Building Trades Council, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, and with trainees themselves. The initiative has detailed qualification guidelines for its professional staff, from Executive Director to Job Developer, which facilitate the hiring of strong staff members who are appropriate to carry out the program's mission. The qualifications consistently underscore the high expectations that the program has for its staff and students, and the depth of the program's activities. The initiative offers many leadership opportunities. Trainees can participate in seminars, training and activities sponsored by National YouthBuild, including National Young Leader's Conference, and in other specialized training opportunities such as National Homebuilder's Seminar, State Apprenticeship Conferences, and Management Training by a local consultant.
Trainees also are eligible for leadership jobs within the initiative itself.
These include Crew Foremen, Tool Manager, Maintenance Foreman, and Administrative Assistant, and serving as Supervisors for community service projects such as Project Three Program, a neighborhood cleanup program done in collaboration with other local agencies. Numbers of trainees interested in each area are identified, along with minimum entry requirements, and this forms the framework from which both job development and placement activities are initiated. Wherever possible, trainees are placed in internships with potential employers prior to graduation. Youth eligible and qualified for continued training or post-secondary education are provided information about enrolling in skilled trade apprenticeships, other vocational training, community colleges, and institution of higher education. Trainees and their case managers work together to identify appropriate institutions, based upon the student's job plan.