YouthBuild Memphis

2021/2023

Vocational Initiative for Trades & Entrepreneurship

USDOL Grant Recipient, 2019-2022
Serving Zip Codes 38106, 38107, 38109, 38114, 38126, and 38127

About YouthBuild

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.

Three Instructional Building Sites

One new construction and two single-family restorations

  • Home Builders Institute (HBI) Curriculum, in association with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

  • The HBI training model for PACT Pre-Apprenticeship was developed by the NAHB through consultations with builders, employers and educators.

  • YBM19 provides Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Training (PACT) and direct pathways for at-risk youth 16-24 years of age into the Construction industry

  • The YouthBuild Memphis training model also incorporates current OSHA standards and ‘Green’ standards into YBM’s program design.

YouthBuild Offers:

Construction Industry Orientation

  • Partnerships with local industry representatives and educators
  • Workshops for YBM19 participants, and educational field trips
  • Classroom assignments on Industry advances

Teen Economics & Entrepreneurship in the Construction Industry

  • Monetizing New Construction Skills
  • ‘Cooperatives’, Tool Banks & Leased Equipment
  • Re-Cycling Construction materials for Senior Citizen Home Restorations

Immediate Academic Improvement

  • Math Skills for Construction
  • Pre-Architecture & Design Presentations from Young Architects
  • Goals for improved Reading & Literacy

Job Development & Career Exploration for Teens throughout Memphis and Shelby County

  • Construction Plus / Related Construction Industry Careers
  • Cultural & Heritage Tourism (Historic Restorations)
  • Pop-Up Retail & Merchandising (Booth Design & Assembly)
  • Web & Digital Applications for the Construction Industry

YouthBuild Memphis ‘Pre-Apprenticeships’ for Teens

  • Industry Awareness & Engagement for grades 10-12
  • Volunteer & Community Service through Peer Education
  • Volunteer & Work Assignment on first-level/external Home Maintenance

The Three Learning Clusters

YouthBuild Memphis 2019 Partners

Contact Us

Contact us today to be a part of a truly innovative, inclusive and relevant training & development model in the lucrative Construction and home building Industry; designed specifically for out-of-school, at-risk, and ‘Opportunity’ participants. SMRCDC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation; All are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

South Memphis Renewal CDC Jeffrey Higgs, Executive Director

901.746.9287