In YouthBuild’s construction program, students acquire skills and knowledge through hands-on experience at a real work site. As well as acquiring construction skills, students strengthen their decision-making and time-management skills and adopt stronger work habits.

Students receive training at the job site from qualified construction instructors. They also develop career plans and prepare for job interviews.

Each year until 2009-2010, YouthBuild students built a brand-new home for a low-income family in Providence. The 2013-2014 class is gutting and fully renovating an foreclosed house in the West-End neighborhood, experiencing the pride of turning an empty property into a beautiful home for a low-income family.

Whether constructing a new home or renovating an old one, YouthBuild students become familiar with:

• Handling materials and tools
• Blueprint reading
• Cost estimating
• Replacement of structural members
• Masonry
• Framing
• Floor preparation/finishing
• Door/window installation
• Insulation and drywall
• Interior finishing

All participants benefit from the less tangible, but equally important lessons in teamwork, dependability, punctuality and preparedness.