Young Adults

 

 

Today's young adults are the future of our workforce, our economy and our communities. Our goal is to position these young adults on a good pathway to a rewarding career, as we recognize that confident, aware and skilled youth contribute immeasurably to a stronger community. We continue to partner with community agencies to help put young adults on the track to success.

 

The South Central Wisconsin Job Centers have teamed up with a number of other organizations to provide a series of services intended to help young people from ages 14-21 gain academic and career goals and eventually join the workforce. Both in-and out-of-school youth receive tutoring, job readiness and retention training as well as paid and unpaid work experiences with local businesses. These initiatives include the Middle College Program, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Out-of-School Youth Program, and a Summer Youth Employment Program.

 

 

The Middle College Program

 

The Middle College Program is designed to advance the educational level of young adults by combining high school academics necessary for high school graduation and postsecondary education curriculum that align with the student’s career pathway of interest. It is a bridge-to-college program at no cost to the student or to the local school district. The Program is a collaborative effort between the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin and Madison College.

 

The design of the program is meant to support a technical college educational engagement for high school students. That is, student participants work to earn their high school diploma, but also take college-level courses for credit. The structure also includes an internship component to build and apply work skills and experience. Successful completions for program participants will be a transition into the workforce development system to engage in Career Pathway training initiatives, employment, post secondary education, military, or registered apprenticeship.

 

 

Workforce Invesment Act (WIA) Out-of-School Youth Program

 

The Workforce Investment Act Program (WorkSmart) has teamed up with a number of state and community organizations to provide a series of services intended to help young adults from ages 18-21 pursue their academic and career pathway goals and enter the workforce. Eligible young adults may receive assistance in career advising, tutoring, job readiness and retention training, as well as paid and unpaid work experiences to help prepare them for success in their career pathway.

 

WorkSmart’s Young Adult Program can help prepare young adults for postsecondary education or employment with the following services and support made available with funding from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA):

• Career advising to discuss career/academic goals
• Resume writing and interviewing prep assistance
• Internship and job shadow opportunities
• Leads on local job openings and recruitment
• Identifying available skill training opportunities

 

 

Summer Youth Program

 

The Summer Youth Program aims to provide Dane, Jefferson, Dodge, Columbia Marquette and Sauk County youth with valuable training and employment experiences. In 2009, the program, with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), employed 341 youth participants at 110 work sites throughout our 6-county region.

 

For more information on programs and initiatives for young adults, contact us. 

 

 

Resources

 

Find information in our job seeker resources section or visit www.comeherefirst.org to help you identify your interests, explore careers, get work experience, or look for education options to prepare for your career.