Established in 1978, YouthBuild is an international leader in equipping marginalized youth with skills to complete their education and secure employment. Its programs enable low-income youth to acquire basic education, entrepreneurship and employment readiness skills. Critical to the program’s success is its integration of in-class and on-site training in construction. Youth are supervised by staff and work on construction projects that include building houses, schools and health clinics. YouthBuild currently works in 22 countries around the world.

At YouthBuild programs in the United States and across the globe, low-income young people learn construction skills through building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in their neighborhoods and other community assets such as schools, playgrounds, and community centers.

For unemployed young people who left high school without a diploma, YouthBuild is an opportunity to reclaim their educations, gain the skills they need for employment, and become leaders in their communities.

This movement has been created by YouthBuild USA, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works in the United States as YouthBuild USA and in all other countries as YouthBuild International (YBI).

YouthBuild USA
YouthBuild USA has built a robust network of 260 urban and rural YouthBuild programs in 46 states. They are sponsored and managed by local nonprofits, community colleges, and public agencies. Their primary funding source is the US Department of Labor (DOL) through the authorized federal YouthBuild program administered by the Employment and Training Administration at DOL. YouthBuild USA provides training and technical assistance, leadership development, funding for innovative program enhancements, and advocacy for these programs.

YouthBuild International (YBI)
Through YouthBuild International (YBI), YouthBuild has been replicated by NGOs, government agencies, international development institutions, and global companies in 15 countries, where the model has been adapted for implementation in rural and urban settings, located in developing countries, emerging economies, and industrialized nations.

YBI provides training, technical assistance and consultation to governments, bilateral and multilateral donor institutions, national and global companies, public and private sector employment systems, and NGOs who wish to adapt the YouthBuild model for implementation in their local context.

YBI establishes MOU and licensing agreements with each country's implementing partner. Licensed YBI country partners retain the model’s emphasis on building a caring community, and offering basic education. They provide market-relevant technical skills, preparation for self-employment and formal sector jobs, continuing technical and postsecondary education, community service, and leadership development, while adapting the model to respond to the needs and aspirations of local young people and their communities.