LaunchNW has been awarded a $1.5 million YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to establish YouthBuild Stevens County, a comprehensive workforce and education initiative serving young people ages 16-24 in Stevens County. The grant will support a 40-month program designed to help youth earn high school credentials, gain hands-on construction skills, develop leadership abilities, and transition into employment, registered apprenticeships, or postsecondary education.
“YouthBuild Stevens County represents a major investment in the future of young people in rural Northeast Washington,” said Ben Small, Executive Director of LaunchNW. “Too many young people face barriers that can make it difficult to complete their education or connect to meaningful careers. This grant will allow us to provide the training, support, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed while also helping address critical housing needs in the community.”
YouthBuild Stevens County will serve a minimum of 66 participants across three cohorts, providing a program model that combines academic instruction, occupational skills training, leadership development, and comprehensive supportive services. Participants will work toward earning a high school diploma or equivalency credential while gaining industry-recognized construction credentials and experience through the development of affordable housing projects.
The program is a collaboration of many partners, including Stevens County Youth Outreach, Tri-County Community Health Fund, Colville School District, NorthEast Washington Education Service District 101, Spokane Colleges, Associated General Contractors of the Inland Northwest, and Eastern Washington Partnership Workforce Development Council (WDC). The project will be based in Colville, Washington, serving youth from Colville, Chewelah, Kettle Falls, Northport, Springdale, and surrounding rural communities throughout Stevens County.
Participants will receive:
• High school diploma or GED preparation and completion support
• NCCER construction training and credentials
• OSHA-10 certification
• Leadership development and community service opportunities
• Career exploration and job placement assistance
• Registered apprenticeship and postsecondary education pathways
• Mentorship through LaunchNW’s Mpower Mentoring model
• Transportation, case management, and other supportive services
The project also incorporates digital literacy and foundational artificial intelligence (AI) skills training to help participants develop competencies increasingly required in today’s workforce.
The YouthBuild program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Learn more about the community mission of LaunchNW at LaunchNW.org.
