The YouthBuild PCS Workforce Training Program is comprised of vocational education, basic on-site construction training, and specialized construction training.
These offerings provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable employability skills while giving back to their community by building housing for low-income residents in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Students spend up to 40 percent of their overall time at YouthBuild PCS on a construction work site or in vocational education classes. Through partnerships with local non-profit housing developers, YouthBuild PCS students work on an actual construction site under the supervision of skilled construction trainers.
Trainers create a “real world” working environment in order to teach and reinforce development of soft skills such as punctuality, attendance, preparation, ability to work on a team, and efficiency in completing daily tasks—while also helping students gain hard construction and design skills. Students also have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership skills on the work site by assuming various roles such as crew chief, safety monitor, and tools and equipment manager.
Building Community
Trainings and Certifications Offered at YouthBuild PCS
NCCER CORE
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Contren ® Learning Series – Core Certification
Through NCCER’s Core Certification, students learn a number of hard and soft skills that are transferable into the workforce upon completion of the program including: basic safety, construction math, how to use hand and power tools, how to read blueprints, and basic communication and employability skills.
HBI PACT
HomeBuilders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training
Through HBI PACT, students learn green building methods and skills needed by the residential construction workforce. Students learn a number of hard and soft skills, including: building trades, safety and first aid, construction math, tools and construction materials, employability, and carpentry.
Advanced Construction and Specialized Programs
Returning students can also participate in advanced construction pre-apprenticeship, green building, and weatherization programs.