Dept of Labor awards Goodwill NNE $1 million to help at-risk-youth with education and employment

The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded Goodwill Northern New England $1,227,101 to support and expand YouthBuild programs in Maine. YouthBuild provides at-risk youth, ages 16-24, with education and occupational skill development to obtain employment in construction and other in-demand industries.

Program participants learn construction skills while building or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods, as well as other occupational skills for in-demand industries that also require real-world work experience components. Young people split their time between the occupational skills training site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma or equivalency degree and prepare for postsecondary opportunities. Goodwill NNE’s program is based in Lewiston, Maine.

“Job training and education are key to preparing our nation’s young men and women for economic success,” U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia said. “By investing in these local workforce development programs, the Department is expanding opportunities for at-risk youth in communities across the country.”

The Department of Labor awarded 67 grants to agencies across the country, totaling about $85 million.

“Youthbuild programs have the ability to change the lives of thousands of American students,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “[This] will provide new opportunities for young people across the country to take the first step toward good-paying careers.”