The YouthForce program connects teens aged 14-18 with businesses willing to invest in their training and development. YouthForce provides a range of activities to help teens develop the skills essential for workforce success. These include getting and keeping a job, finding a career that fits each teens’ interests and talents, and allowing the teens to determine the corresponding educational and career path they need to pursue.

YouthForce University

YouthForce University is an intensive soft skills training program for all participants which teach teens how to apply for, obtain, and maintain a job, as well as covers topics in financial literacy and enables teens to explore post-secondary education opportunities related to careers. Twelve hours of YouthForce University is provided in the initial component of the program to teach teens job readiness skills, as well as engage teens in developing a pathway toward career opportunities.

Job Ready Internships

After their 12 hours of YouthForce University is complete, participants complete a 60-hour paid internship in a local business. At these internships, students can practice the first-job skills that they were taught at YouthForce University such as customer service and communication. Varied experiences for the Club members include Retail, Service, Hospitality, and Technical opportunities.

Career Ready Internships

Teens who are seeking paid internships or employment related to specific career paths in which they are interested pursuing will apply for, secure, and train positions for more long-term paid internships in career fields in which they interested. Career Ready internships typically take place after participants have completed Job Ready internships, and the agency at which they intern and the YouthForce participant desire to have them work a long-term “Career Ready” internship with the company (for a total of 150 hours of advanced career training at their internship).

Technical Training Programs

During the summer months, as well as selected out-of-school breaks, YouthForce hosts Technical Training Camps. Technical Training Camps are hosted with experts in the field to teach youth specific technical skills needed for future high-wage jobs, occupations, and careers in which they may be interested. Following the three to five day Technical Training Camp, participants complete job shadowing and short-term paid internship experiences in the field. Technical Training camps from Summer 2018 of the program in include: Nursing, Welding, Cybersecurity, Coding & Manucturing, and Culinary Arts Technical Training Camps.

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