Laying the Foundation,
Framing Our Future
Young adults ages 16-24 can earn their GED while attaining work-ready certifications, gaining on-the-job experience, volunteering in their community, and strengthening their leadership skills.
About YouthBuild Houston
YouthBuild is a national program for opportunity youth by the U.S. Department of Labor. We help administer YouthBuild Houston for the greater Houston area. The program is for young adults ages 16 to 24 interested in earning their GED, learning on-the-job skills that earn them nationally recognized job-ready certifications, and improving their lives and their communities.
With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership. At nearly 300 YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world, students reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities.
Hands-on learning, real-world opportunity
YouthBuild Houston sets participants up for success to pursue their education and provide skills needed to succeed in today’s evolving workforce. From working as a team to technical skills in construction and other in-demand industries, what participants learn in YouthBuild equip them to shape their future.
– Take classes to earn your GED
– Learn skills with on-the-job construction training
– Give back to the Houston community by building homes for those in need
– Earn work-ready certifications through the National Center for Construction Education + Research (NCCER)
– Develop leadership skills to help you tackle the next stage of your life!
Who is Eligible for YouthBuild Houston?
Youth who are 16 to 24 years old on the start date of the cohort—see the next start date below!
Youth who dropped out of high school
Youth who are low-income
JOIN THE NEXT YOUTHBUILD HOUSTON COHORT!
HOW TO APPLY
1. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION USING OUR ONLINE FORM. It takes about 15 minutes and you can complete it right from your phone.
2. A YOUTHBUILD CAREER COACH WILL REACH OUT TO YOU. They will need a bit more info to complete your application & determine eligibility. They’ll be your guide at every step of the process!
3. IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, YOU ARE INVITED TO PRE-COHORT MENTAL TOUGHNESS TESTING! Pre-cohort testing takes place a week before the next cohort begins, and cohorts begin on a rolling basis.
YOUTHBUILD SUCCESS STORIES
Julian’s Story: Stepping Up to Inspire
Role Model, Mentor, and Inspirational Big Brother “Today, I understand the role I play as the older brother of seven,” said Julian, “if you asked me that a few months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to express what that looked like or meant to me.” Julian M., who was...
Maria’s Story: Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone
In late 2018, Maria B. drove by SERJobs Workforce Opportunity Center and saw a sign offering YouthBuild services. Fortunately, she stopped to see how SER could help and change her life. Maria had experienced personal challenges, dropped out of high school, and was in...
Daniel’s Story
Daniel W. had a clear career goal set. SER supplied the resources and encouragement to get him there. After his adoptive father abandoned his mother, Daniel W. hated seeing his mother struggle. So before starting high school, Daniel dropped out to work to help support...
Ready to Take Control of Your Future?
Register today for join our next cohort!
Have questions? Email youthbuild@serjobs.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is YouthBuild Houston a school?
YouthBuild Houston is not a public school and is not covered by TEA open-enrollment policies. WorkTexas/Premier High Schoo’s curriculum is approved by the TEA and uses individualized approach based on the ResponsiveED Model the opportunity for a cohort to attain their High School Diploma
YouthBuild Houston is a Department of Labor program that combines education and job training. This includes GED classes and high school diploma classes through a partnership with WorkTexas and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD).
Is there a fee associated with this program?
Is programming offered in Spanish?
How long will it take for me to graduate?
What is the difference between a high school diploma and GED?
The GED is a total of 4 tests that cover the topics of mathematics, social studies, science, and reasoning through language arts.
Both will qualify you to attend college and trade schools or join the military.
There are a few things to consider when deciding between a High School Diploma and a GED, such as the length of time to complete, long-term goals, and pre-placement test scores.
Participants are the best at determining their educational path. Applicants should speak to YouthBuild Houston staff to determine the best course of action to meet their goals.
Why does the application ask about justice involvement?
Can I do more than one training track at a time?
What does the day look like?
Two days out of the week are spent in GED classes, while the alternating days are spent learning a trade, combining certification classes with hands-on training. Friday’s are enrichment days that allow exploring careers, developing leadership skills, and conducting community service activities.
Is housing provided?
Am I required to have a state issued ID?
Yes, participants are either required to have a state-issued ID or a passport. A birth certificate and social security card are required as well.