The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that $98 million in new funding is now available to support YouthBuild programs focused on education, pre-apprenticeship training, and employment services for young people.
The funding is intended to help communities deliver pre-apprenticeship programs in high-demand industries such as construction, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare. These programs are designed to prepare young people with both foundational education and practical, job-ready skills that can lead to longer-term career pathways.
According to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the funding aims to expand opportunities for young Americans to gain hands-on experience while building skills that align with current and emerging workforce needs. The announcement emphasizes workforce readiness and pathways into skilled trades and growing sectors of the economy.
The grants are offered through the department’s YouthBuild Program and are targeted to serve young people ages 16 to 24, particularly in communities where many are not currently participating in the labor force. Funding may be used for academic instruction, occupational skills training, and a range of employment services.
This funding round also introduces a new performance focus. For the first time, the department has set a goal related to the share of YouthBuild participants who enter a Registered Apprenticeship within one year of exiting the program. The intent is to encourage stronger partnerships between YouthBuild grantees and Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, and to reinforce pre-apprenticeships as direct on-ramps to formal apprenticeship programs.
The announcement aligns with a broader initiatives, including efforts to expand apprenticeship participation nationwide. In addition, applicants are required to incorporate artificial intelligence literacy into the education component of their programs, with encouragement to include AI-related skills in occupational training as well.
The grants will be administered by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and are authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Approximately 57 grants are expected to be awarded, with individual awards ranging from $1 million to $2 million.
The department also noted that applications from charter schools and organizations partnering with educational institutions may receive priority consideration.
Workforce organizations, education providers, and community partners interested in serving opportunity youth may want to review the YouthBuild funding opportunity to understand eligibility requirements, program expectations, and application timelines.