Mohawk Valley Community College will receive more than $1.2 million from the U. S. Department of Labor to expand the YouthBuild program, which provides at-risk youth with job development skills.

The department distributed $10.5 million to agencies across the state of New York to support these programs, which offer education and occupational skill development to those aged 16-24.

“Job training and education are key to preparing our nation’s young men and women for economic success,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia. “By investing in these local workforce development programs, the Department is expanding opportunities for at-risk youth in communities across the country.”

The YouthBuild program began in 2006, teaching construction skills to develop affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods, as well as other occupational skills for in-demand industries.

Program participants divide time between a designated training site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma or equivalency degree in preparation for postsecondary opportunities.

Recipients of the grant funding include:

• The Service Collaborative of Western New York Inc., Buffalo, N.Y. -- $1,500,000.00
• Ulster YouthBuild LLC, Kingston, N.Y. -- $987,881.00
• The Crenulated Company Ltd., dba New Settlement Apartments, New York, NY -- $1,500,000.00
• Youth Action Program and Homes Inc., New York, N.Y. -- $1,500,000.00
• Nubian Directions II Inc., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. -- $1,500,000.00
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Rochester, dba Catholic Family Center, Rochester, N.Y. -- $1,134,000.00
• Urban League of Rochester, N.Y. Inc., Rochester, N.Y. -- $1,100,000.00
• Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, N.Y. -- $1,254,060.00