U.S. Department of Labor Awards $90.4 Million in YouthBuild Grants to Prepare Young Adults for In-Demand Industries

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded nearly $90.4 million in YouthBuild grants to prepare young adults not enrolled in school or participating in the labor market for jobs in construction and other in-demand industries. The grants will be administered by the Employment and Training Administration and will support programs that provide construction skills focused on green building techniques, including sustainable building materials, solar panel installation, weatherization processes, and the use of Energy Star appliances. This funding complements the Biden-Harris administration's workforce priorities to advance equitable career pathway opportunities, quality jobs, and climate sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Department of Labor awarded 68 grants totaling nearly $90.4 million to organizations in 28 states and Puerto Rico.
  • The grants will support programs that provide job training and employment services to young adults not enrolled in school or participating in the labor market.
  • Participants will engage in classroom learning that will prepare them for work-based learning opportunities building and rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families.
  • The programs will focus on green construction techniques, including understanding sustainable building materials, solar panel installation, weatherization processes, and the use of Energy Star appliances.
  • The funding complements the Biden-Harris administration's workforce priorities to advance equitable career pathway opportunities, quality jobs, and climate sustainability.
  • The YouthBuild grants support the President's Justice40 Initiative, which commits to delivering at least 40 percent of the benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities.
  • The grants include a new criterion that awards bonus points for applicants that demonstrated their ability to provide training in green construction techniques.
  • The programs will prepare young adults for in-demand industries, including construction, with a focus on clean energy technologies.

Statistics:

  • $90.4 million: The total amount of YouthBuild grants awarded to organizations in 28 states and Puerto Rico.
  • 68: The number of grants awarded to support job training and employment services for young adults.
  • 28: The number of states and Puerto Rico that will receive the grants.
  • $700,000: The minimum grant amount awarded to each organization.
  • $1.5 million: The maximum grant amount awarded to each organization.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Department of Labor Awards $90.4 Million in YouthBuild Grants to Prepare Young Adults for In-Demand Industries." U.S. Department of Labor News Release, 2023.
  • "Biden-Harris Administration's Workforce Priorities." The White House, 2022.