CLOSING THE GAP | Build 2 Lead

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CLOSING THE G.A.P.

Workforce Readiness & Green Jobs Pathways

Closing the G.A.P. provides students ages 16-24 with access to over 100 hours of work development training. Students graduate with resumes, interview experience, business plans, and industry credentials. Outcomes include school completion, retaining a job, and enrollment into post-secondary education or advanced training.

OUR PROGRAMS

PRIMARY FOCUS

Workforce Readiness &
Green Jobs Pathways

Who it serves

Grades 9–12 (High School)

High school students (primarily grades 10–12), with strong representation of Black, Latino/a, Pacific Islander, and multi-racial youth preparing for post-secondary and workforce transitions.
A significant portion of participants report trauma exposure, housing instability, or unmet mental health needs—making integrated support essential.

MTSS Tier 2-3, CTE Pathways, Work-based Learning

NEXT PIPELINE PROGRAM

Key outcomes

Closing the G.A.P. demonstrates strong workforce readiness outcomes:

40 students completed the full pre-apprenticeship program
2,400+ hours of workforce training delivered
59% increase in workforce readiness indicators
75% of participants would consider a career in the green economy
100% of participants believe more youth need access to green job education
75% increase in understanding of the green job economy (pre → post)

Skills built

Closing the G.A.P. is a CTE-aligned, pre-apprenticeship workforce pathway centered on environmental justice and the green economy.

Key skill areas include:
Environmental literacy and climate justice
Workforce readiness and professional skills
Financial literacy and career planning
Industry-specific knowledge across green sectors
Civic engagement tied to environmental equity

Participants complete a 60-hour pre-apprenticeship training facilitated through a multi-modal, worksite-modeled learning environment.

Qualitative outcomes

Youth reflections and facilitator observations highlight:

Increased clarity about green careers and pathways
Stronger understanding of environmental justice as a social issue
Increased confidence naming industries, employers, and career options
Motivation to pursue work that benefits both community and environment

Students described green jobs as “helping people and the planet at the same time.”

Wellness

Closing the G.A.P. serves youth with elevated needs, making wellness integration critical.
B2L Wellness:

Flags risk indicators at intake (housing, justice involvement, mental health)
Provides ongoing case management and referrals
Supports youth navigating stress tied to academic pressure and life instability
Reduces disengagement and program attrition
This allows youth to complete rigorous workforce training without being derailed by unmet needs

Connections to systems change

Closing the G.A.P. addresses inequities in who gets access to green and emerging economies.
By combining workforce training, civic engagement, and wellness:

Youth enter industries historically inaccessible to BIPOC communities
Environmental justice is reframed as economic opportunity
Systems benefit from a more diverse, prepared workforce
CTG builds pathways where none previously existed.

How Our Programs Work Together

This is not a set of programs—it is a pipeline for leadership, healing, and generational transformation.

All programs are supported by B2L Wellness, ensuring prevention, intervention, and stabilization across the full pipeline.

OUR PROGRAMS

Step 1

UNIVERSAL IDENTIFICATION

Intake, screening, early warning indicators

UNIVERSAL IDENTIFICATION

Step 2

TARGETED INTERVENTION

Check-ins, referrals, case management

TARGETED INTERVENTION

Step 3

ONGOING MONITORING &

STABILIZATION

45-day cycles, progress tracking, tier movement

ONGOING MONITORING &

STABILIZATION

How All Programs Work Together

This is not a menu of services—it is a coordinated system for leadership, healing, and generational change.

All programs are supported by B2L Wellness, ensuring prevention, intervention, and stabilization across the full pipeline.

Join the Village

SIGN UP FOR OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking for engaged community members to join our open opportunities to help create positive change! Join a committee, serve on the board, volunteer, attend an event, or donate to Build 2 Lead.

OPPORTUNITIES

Get Involved.

Participate. Donate. Volunteer.