St. Louis young people have a powerful new opportunity ahead of them. SLATE — the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment — has been awarded a $1.29 million YouthBuild grant to expand career pathways for youth in the city, according to an announcement from the City of St. Louis.

YouthBuild is a nationally recognized workforce development program that helps young people, typically those who have left traditional schooling, gain the education, job skills, and credentials they need to build stable futures. The grant funding will allow SLATE to broaden its reach and connect more St. Louis youth with meaningful training and employment opportunities.

For a city that has long invested in workforce development as a cornerstone of community growth, this grant represents a significant boost. SLATE has been a key resource for job seekers and employers alike, and the YouthBuild program specifically targets young people who face the greatest barriers to economic mobility — giving them hands-on training, mentorship, and a pathway toward a career rather than just a job.

The $1.29 million award signals strong federal confidence in SLATE’s approach and its track record of connecting St. Louis residents with real opportunities. With this funding in place, more young people across the city can look forward to structured programs that combine education with practical skills training, setting them on a course toward long-term success.

It’s the kind of investment that pays dividends not just for individual participants, but for the entire St. Louis community — building a stronger, more skilled local workforce and giving the next generation a genuine foothold in the economy. Stay tuned for more details from SLATE on how the program will be rolled out and how eligible young people can get involved.

Sources: City of St. Louis, MO (.gov)