The Department of Labor recently announced SMRCDC as its 2019-2022 the YouthBuild program in Memphis. The YouthBuild program is administered by the Employment and Training Administration’s Office of Workforce Investment, Division of Youth Services.

YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school. Youth learn vocational skills in construction, as well as in other in-demand industries, including health care, information technology, and hospitality. Youth also provide community service through the required construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Youth split their time between the vocational training work site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma or equivalency degree, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for postsecondary training opportunities, including college, apprenticeships, and employment. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as a mentoring, follow-up education, employment, and personal counseling services; and participation in community service and civic engagement. There are approximately 210 actively-funded DOL YouthBuild programs at any given time in more than 40 states, serving over 6,000 youth nationally per year.