YouthBuild

Boreal Development has been working with partners over the last several years to develop a YouthBuild program, and we recently received approval of our grant to the State of Minnesota to launch our program. YouthBuild is a program for opportunity youth to build employment skills, attain their GED/diploma, and grow their leadership skills (we will continue to offer green construction training to adults as well). For YouthBuild, Boreal Development will provide construction training, including Multi-Craft Core Curriculum and hands-on construction opportunities. True North Goodwill will offer case management and support participants to develop their soft skills. Duluth Public Schools will partner to support participants to complete their diploma or GED, and City of Duluth Workforce Development will support leadership development.

What do we mean by opportunity youth? These are young people who have are not in school and not working. They are sometimes referred to as disconnected or at-risk. The term opportunity youth describes these young people based on their potential instead of the things they are not doing. Youth who are not engaged in positive or productive activities are an untapped resource for our community. With the right guidance and opportunity to participate in activities that they are interested in, they can be a part of growing our construction trades workforce. They can also be part of the climate movement as they learn green construction skills that are aligned with a variety of careers. Young people in general are much more concerned about our changing climate than older generations, and YouthBuild will put more tools in their toolbox to counteract climate change.

This program and its international reputation will help us grow interest and recruitment in green building and sustainability-related educational programs and professions. It will be one of the tools we need to contribute to the green revolution that our community and the whole world needs. Our YouthBuild program launches in January 2026. We will share more information here on our blog as we establish application procedures and specific timelines for participants.