US Department of Labor announces Notice of Proposed Rule Making addressing goals and requirements of YouthBuild program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a Notice of Proposed Rule Making regarding the department's YouthBuild program. The YouthBuild Transfer Act was signed into law in September 2006, transferring the administration of the YouthBuild program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Department of Labor. The NPRM seeks to clarify the requirements of the Transfer Act for YouthBuild program providers and participants.

The proposed rule intends to better enable YouthBuild program providers to carry out the goals of the program, to assist at-risk youth in obtaining a high school diploma or GED and to help participants acquire occupational skills training that lead to employment. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on this proposed rule via the federal e-rulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments on the NPRM are due on Oct. 26, 2010.

YouthBuild is a non-residential, grants-based alternative education program that provides classroom instructionand construction skills training to at-risk individuals ages 16-24. Participants learn valuable skillsas they build or rehabilitate housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

The NPRM incorporates changes made to the YouthBuild program by the Transfer Act. In addition to transferring the administration of the program from HUD to the Labor Department, the Transfer Act expands the training authorized under the YouthBuild program to include many activities supported by the Workforce Investment Act Title I youth formula program. The Transfer Act incorporates technical modifications to the YouthBuild program to make it consistent with WIA's job training, education, and employment goals, while at the same time continuing to enable many of the same affordable housing goals emphasized under HUD's administration of the program. Examples of other proposed changes to the YouthBuild program included in the NPRM:

• Participant Safety: Additional requirements for participant safety, as well as reporting requirements for safety measures.
• Credential Attainment: Increased emphasis on the education and occupational skills training provided by YouthBuild programs and the provision of industry recognized credentials.
• Registered Apprenticeships: Increased emphasis on providing training in coordination with registered apprenticeship programs, which can lead to certifications that meet industry standards.