JOG the Web: YouthBuild

When young people are given the right tools, they can build just about anything. That’s the idea behind YouthBuild, and we are thrilled to announce that Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) is now officially part of this nationwide movement!

What Is YouthBuild?

YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program for young people looking for a hands-on path to a meaningful career. Through the YouthBuild program, JOG participants gain hands-on training in construction and related trades, earn industry-recognized certifications, and develop the leadership skills they need to succeed on the job and in life. They split their time between the classroom and the work site, all while helping revitalize and empower their communities.

It’s a natural fit for us. Since 1987, JOG has helped young adults facing multiple barriers complete their education and move into livable-wage careers or post-secondary training. YouthBuild gives us one more powerful way to do exactly that!

Putting Tools in Their Hands

Thanks to a generous grant and help from The Home Depot, we were able to purchase tools for classroom instruction! That means participants won’t just read about the trades. They’ll practice them, learning to safely handle the same equipment they’ll use on real job sites.

No one builds a future alone. We’re partnering with local businesses, like The Event Center in Ellet, to give participants real-world experience and turn their career dreams into reality. These partnerships show young people that their community believes in them and is ready to invest in the workforce of tomorrow. We can’t wait to watch our first YouthBuild participants grow, learn, and build their futures one project at a time.

Interested in joining YouthBuild or becoming a partner?

Reach out to Jessica Porter at jporter@jogworks.org today. Let’s build something great together!