YouthBuild Graduation

Eighteen members of  Tree Trust’s YouthBuild program graduated Thursday, May 31 after spending nine months furthering their education  and learning the basics of the construction trade. Many participants graduated with honors.

The YouthBuild program provides hands-on construction training to economically disadvantaged students (age 17-21) who are at risk of dropping out of school. Participants of the program attend alternative high schools while working in order to complete their high school diploma or GED.

2012 YouthBuild graduates

Construction skills learned by YouthBuilders include demolition; framing; painting; repairing foundations, garages and roofs; and installing insulation, windows, doors and cabinets. Participants also complete OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety training. 

In addition to continuing their education and learning construction skills, graduates developed leadership skills and participated in their communities.

Many graduates are going on to further education or employment following their graduation. Some graduates will participate in this summer's advanced crew, which will be a crew of five participants. They begin work on June 18. Partcipants will build on the knowledge and skills they already have by learning more advanced techniques and completing more difficult projects.