YOUTH BUILD PROGRAM
Teaching Trades. Building Leaders. Creating Owners.
Overview
Flip These Bricks Academy’s Youth Build Program is a powerful, hands-on learning experience designed for young people who are ready to take control of their future. Whether they’re finishing high school and don’t want to go to college, dropped out of school, or are simply ready to work right now — this program is for them.
We offer real-world trade training that goes far beyond the classroom. Our youth don’t just learn how to build — they learn how to own, lead, and change the game.
what we teach
Our students learn to use tools, understand building materials (like lumber sizes), read blueprints, and complete full builds — from foundation to roof.
🛠️ Skilled Trades Training
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
- Light commercial & residential construction skills
Business & Leadership
We train our students to be more than workers. We train them to be entrepreneurs and leaders:
- Leadership development & public speaking
- Construction management basics
- Starting and running a business
- Understanding LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, and nonprofit structures
- How to bid and qualify for city, state, and federal contracts
By the time a student completes this program, they’ll be ready to either enter the workforce with valuable certifications or launch their own business with confidence.
who this program is for
- Young men and women ages 15–24
- High school graduates who don’t want college or military
- High school dropouts looking for direction
- Court-involved or at-risk youth who need a real alternative
We believe in getting to our youth before the streets or prison do. That’s why our training includes mentorship, character development, and life skills that promote long-term success.
daniel dawkins read to exceed program
Many youth struggle silently with reading — and reading is essential in construction. That’s why we created the Read to Exceed Program, founded on the real-life journey of Daniel Salem Dawkins II, who taught himself to read as a young adult after Job Corps changed his life.
This program focuses on:
- Improving literacy for trades
- GED readiness
- Learning construction language and blueprints
Before we teach the tools of the trade, we teach how to read and use them effectively.
the full journey
From reading blueprints to running blue-chip contracts, our Youth Build Program gives young people every tool they need to:
- Build a house from the ground up
- Understand every step of the construction process
- Start their own contracting business
- Avoid the pitfalls of street life
- Step into adulthood with purpose and direction
But we don’t stop there. We push our students to go further.
After graduation, we encourage our students to pursue higher education or technical training in:
- Business Management
- Construction Management
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical or Civil Engineering
- Architecture and Design
Flip These Bricks Academy is just the foundation. We equip our youth with the knowledge, vision, and confidence to grow beyond us — to take their skills and passion to new heights in college, trade school, or entrepreneurship.