Education and job training are essential pathways to self-sufficiency. Two thirds of Philadelphia’s high school dropouts can’t find an employer to hire them. And in today’s economy, even a high school diploma won’t guarantee meaningful employment – especially for young adults with little or no work experience. Many YouthBuild students and their families live below the poverty line because they can’t secure stable, living-wage employment.
To expand students’ career options, YouthBuild Philly offers job training in three fields: Culinary Arts, Healthcare, and Building Trades.
Our job training takes place in real-world settings – e.g., at a nursing home, in a childcare facility, or on a construction site. As students learn these vital job skills, they also provide valuable volunteer service to their community.
Healthcare
Healthcare students at YouthBuild Philly can pursue certification as Home Health Aides, or Certified Nursing and Medical Assistants. Completion of this track requires that students pass a clinical skill test in the presence of a licensed nurse in addition to the daily training from a healthcare instructor. Students also earn CPR and First Aid certifications and provide public health education, healthy eating, and living workshops in the community.
Building Trades and Construction
Students in the building trades and construction program, develop basic carpentry skills through the full-gut rehabilitation of houses for sale to low-income families. All Students complete the OSHA 30 and OSHA 10 training as well as the NCCER CORE curriculum certification. To-date, our students have rehabilitated 89 houses.
We offer two training tracks in construction: Green Building and Advanced Construction.
Culinary Arts & Wellness
Our Culinary Arts & Wellness program prepares students for entry- to mid-level careers in the foodservice industry. Career pathways include restaurants, hotels, resorts, country clubs, healthcare facilities, and catering operations. The program creates realistic career opportunities for students with employer partners looking to hire employees.
