National Skills Summit

National Skills Summit
Innovative Initiatives: Construction and Transportation

Youthbuild Boston: Construction Training Program

The Challenge:

To supply construction companies in the Boston area with much needed workers while also helping them to meet the resident and minority compliance requirements for construction companies.

The Solution:

Teach construction skills to young people, especially minorities, in Boston.

The Partners:

YouthBuild Boston is a multidisciplinary academic, vocational, and job training program that teaches Boston's unemployed and unskilled young people to renovate abandoned buildings, turning them into affordable housing for low-income families.

Local Construction Companies that provide apprenticeship, internship, and employment opportunities for YouthBuild participants and graduates.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding and support for the program.

The Story:

When Raymond Bowdre graduated from YouthBuild Boston's training program he had his GED as well as portable, state-of-the-art construction related skills. He is so convinced of YouthBuild's value that he persuaded his younger brother, Sam, to join the program. Sam recently graduated from YouthBuild at the top of his class and is also working in construction at $28 per hour.

YouthBuild Boston's program for men and women ages 18-24 years includes two components: academic and vocational education and a job training program. Life skills such as getting to work on time and working on teams are taught in the month-long orientation that every student must complete. During the course of the 11-month program, math and reading classes focus on relevant examples, cultural history, and community issues. Students also get real-world opportunities and computer training. The program encourages all students to earn their GED as soon as possible.

The vocational program requires occupational safety and health training and certification before students begin training at one of five or six YouthBuild Boston work-sites, where they learn all aspects of building rehabilitation. Approximately 25 students each session learn basic construction methods, carpentry, blueprint reading, and computer-assisted drafting. Students are not paid during orientation, but receive a stipend of about $240 every two weeks during the remainder of the program. Elective options include property management, landscaping, locksmith technology, and painting.

Trainees who achieve a standard of excellence on the worksites are eligible to participate in YouthBuild Boston's internship program, where they can gain work experience they cannot get at the rehab work site. The internship serves as a transition between the rehab construction site and a skilled apprenticeship or job placement. The contractor and trainee operate under a signed agreement outlining specific skills to be learned. YouthBuild monitors the internship.

YouthBuild Boston also offers support services including career exploration, job readiness, leadership development, and counseling. YouthBuild assists trainees in enrolling in training or post-secondary education. About one third of its students participate in continuing education.

YouthBuild Boston receives major funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Development and offers the Boston community many other programs that help young people achieve their educational and job goals.

A Model of Innovation:

YouthBuild combines elements outlined by National Skills Summit participants as essential to success: life skills training, technical skills, and a stipend with almost immediate on-the-job experience. A realistic approach to education begins with earning a GED. Through participation in AmeriCorps, eligible graduates can then receive education awards and have access to college scholarship funds.

Contacts:

Ken Smith
Executive Director
YouthBuild Boston 504 Dudley Street
Boston, MA 02119
617-445-8887 (p)
617-427-3950 (f)
Ken-smith@mailcity.com
www.ybboston.org