The U.S. Department of Labor has announced $98 million in funding to develop pre-apprenticeship programs in high-demand sectors such as construction, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare. This initiative is part of the YouthBuild Program aimed at providing young Americans with hands-on experience and training in these fields.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer said, "By investing $98 million through our YouthBuild Program, the Labor Department is opening up pathways to success for young Americans by providing them with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in construction and emerging fields." The program targets young people aged 16 to 24 who are not currently active in the labor force.
The funding aligns with the Trump Administration's America’s Talent Strategy and its goal of surpassing one million apprenticeships nationwide. For the first time, a target has been set for participants to enter a Registered Apprenticeship within a year after leaving the YouthBuild program. This aims to ensure strong partnerships between pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeship sponsors.
Administered by the Employment and Training Administration under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, approximately 57 grants ranging from $1 million to $2 million will be awarded. The program also promotes artificial intelligence education by requiring AI literacy skills as part of its curriculum. Applications from charter schools and organizations partnering with educational institutions that support educational freedom will receive priority.
For more details on this funding opportunity, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/youthbuild.
