Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) yesterday opened the 2012 YouthBuild competition to applicants in the States and Territories. 

Authorized by Congress under the Workforce Investment Act (29 USC 2918a), the USDOL Employment and Training Administration (ETA) will make available approximately $75 million in grant funds for the program with awards ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million each.  USDOL will award grants through a competitive process to organizations that will provide education, occupational skills training, and employment services to youth participants. 

YouthBuild is a youth and community development program targeted towards at-risk youth populations such as high school dropouts, adjudicated youth, youth aging out of foster care, and youth with disabilities.  The program combines in-school learning that leads to a high school diploma or GED and occupational skills training that prepares youth for career placement.  The in-school component is an alternative education program that assists youth who are often significantly behind in basic skills to obtain a high school diploma or GED credential.  In addition to completing their diploma or GED, youth participants will receive an opportunity to gain industry recognized credentials in construction trades and other in-demand occupations while gaining hands-on experience in these industries.

Based on FY 2012 funding, USDOL hopes to serve approximately 5,210 youth participants during the grant period of performance.  Applications are solicited from first time applicants as well as existing YouthBuild programs not awarded in the most recent YouthBuild competition.  The solicitation, which is available on the ETA’s website at http://doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm, closes on May 8, 2012 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

 “I would like to thank Secretary Solis and her team at the U.S. Department of Labor and the Employment and Training Administration for their hard work in making this unique grant opportunity available to communities across our nation, including American Samoa,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

“ I am pleased to know that this program will help at-risk youths complete their high school diploma or GED certification while also giving them the opportunity to gain valuable skills and participate in meaningful work in their communities.  I encourage our local organizations to learn more about this program and apply for this grant so that youth in American Samoa may also benefit from this program,” the Congressman concluded.