YouthBuild Indy, an initiative by EmployIndy, is making significant strides in providing young adults with the opportunity to develop valuable skills and pursue long-term careers in fields that have a high demand for workers, such as construction and healthcare. By focusing on youth aged 18 to 24 who are not currently involved in education or the workforce, the program offers both paid training and real-world job experience, which can pave the way for stable employment.

Dionne Smith, the vice president of community and career services at EmployIndy, elaborates on the mission, saying, “We’re targeting opportunity youth, those aged 16 to 24 who aren’t currently in school or the workforce, and connecting them to industries where there’s high demand.” This approach aims to break the cycle of unemployment and provide young individuals with the skills they need to secure a career that offers financial stability and growth.

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The program's partnership with the Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation enables participants to gain hands-on experience in construction, where they can earn certifications like the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and even work toward obtaining their High School Equivalency. The program also provides bi-weekly pay while participants are learning, making it financially feasible for youth to engage in this valuable training. As Smith emphasizes, “There’s also paid training and hands-on experience, with job placement assistance once they complete the program.”

For those with an interest in healthcare, YouthBuild Indy also partners with the Community Alliance for the Far East Side (CAFE) to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program. This program provides participants with the opportunity to gain certifications in first aid, CPR, and other essential healthcare skills, coupled with clinical experience and job placement support. "We’re focusing on both certifications and real-world job experience, and we’re paying them while they learn," Smith says, underscoring the program’s “earn-and-learn” model that supports financial independence during training.

YouthBuild Indy’s impact is significant as it addresses the gap between education and employment for underserved youth, while also contributing to sectors that are vital to the community. According to Smith, these initiatives not only improve the employability of young people but also help meet the growing workforce demand in construction and healthcare, both of which are crucial industries for the city and state.

Registration for the construction program at Martindale-Brightwood ends on February 27, with orientation sessions held on January 28 and February 17. The CNA program registration closes on January 31, with orientations on February 3. All residents of Marion County aged 18 to 24 are eligible to apply, with no income restrictions. The program even allows participants to earn their high school diploma while completing the training.