YouthBuild Northwest

Northwest Michigan Works! has expanded the YouthBuild program to include Manistee/Benzie, Traverse City, and Beaver Island. A national program, YouthBuild trains high school drop-out youth, ages 18 to 24, in the construction trades. Hands-on learning takes place in building affordable housing within the community. The youth spend 50% of their time on academics--obtaining a high school diploma or preparing for the GED.

In 2009, the region's first YouthBuild class began in Manistee. See "Archives" or "Manistee" for more information. 

To make sure future participants are successful in the program, supportive services will be provided by Northwest Michigan Works! In addition to the long-term career planning offered to all customers, Michigan Works! may be able to assist YouthBuild students with reliable transportation, affordable child care, and other family issues that can otherwise be barriers to success.

A truly unique aspect of YouthBuild Manistee is the integration of leadership skills in every component of the program. The youth will learn conflict resolution, peer mentoring, and appropriate workplace behaviors every day. Community leaders will visit the students from time to time, sharing their own struggles and successes--and encouraging forward momentum.

To learn more about the national YouthBuild program, click here.

YouthBuild Students Learn About Safety & Careers
Students from the three different YouthBuild Northwest sites got together in one place for the first time for safety training. The students also explored career pathways and toured M-TEC at Northwestern Michigan College. Watch the video to find out more about the training and tour.

YouthBuild Northwest Visits Ferris State University
Students from YouthBuild's Manistee and Traverse City sites had a chance to see what it would be like if they took their construction education to the next level. They visited Ferris State University to learn about the school's Construction Management and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) programs.

YouthBuild Construction Coordinators
Learn About Green Building and Design

Terry Hughes (l.), Bill Ford (c.), and Dan Wilson (r.) learned about green building and design when they attended the Grand Traverse Green Expo in Traverse City. All three men are Construction Coordinators with YouthBuild Northwest. Terry is in Traverse City, Bill is in Manistee, and Dan is on Beaver Island.