Preparing Youth for the World of Work

As part of the Federal Workforce Investment Act, the South Central Workforce Council established the South Central Youth Council. It is charged with overseeing the coordination of federal youth workforce programs with education and other services for young people at the local level.

The Youth Council has aligned its plan (page 19 of the South Central Workforce Council's Strategic Plan) in support of Washington State's education reform (Goal 4 of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements) - linking academic learning to the world of work. Through partnerships with local school districts, business and community partners, the Youth Council is piloting new ways that prepare youth for careers, while addressing local employment shortages and growing talent locally for current and future needs.

Understanding that basic education is a cornerstone to career success, summer paid work internships now include an educational component requiring students to spend equal time in an educational environment to strengthen basic reading, writing and math skills. To help young people succeed academically and in work, innovative programs are funded that utilize mentors, tutorial programs and student portfolios.

Objective A: Strengthen the connection between school and the workplace

Strategies:

1. Establish a clearinghouse of workforce learning materials available to the South Central region to support education.
2. Recruit and maintain a pool of employers (business people) who can serve as resource speakers and instructors for job readiness classes.
3. Develop labor/business advisory committees to serve as a resource to local educators in the development of curricula, classes and programs that utilize contextual, applied and work-based learning opportunities.
4. Develop a database of employers who will provide first-hand, work-based learning experiences to youth through internships, work experience, and job shadowing.
5. Establish teacher internships to keep educators abreast of the skills needed in the workplace.

Objective B: Develop programs that will help all students, including dropouts and students at risk, to succeed.

Strategies:

1. Develop programs and organize efforts to assist dropout students with school reentry to achieve a high school diploma or in accessing alternative education opportunities for GED completion.
2. Develop programs that focus on development of basic education skills for high mobility students, migratory students and students of farm families.
3. Develop tutoring programs that will assist students in mastering reading, writing, and math skills.
4. . Develop employer mentoring/counseling programs to help dropout youth recognize their employment potential.
5. Link “second-chance” programs for youth who are out of school with the “first-chance” system for youth who are in school.

WIA Youth Services

The major components of the WIA youth program offer guiding principles to ensure the needs of young people are met. The target population of WIA Youth include both in-school and out-of-school, so services provided reflect the priorities of each of these unique populations.

In-school priorities include comprehensive and integrated services that promote enhanced academic achievement; successful graduation; awareness of post-secondary and technical education; work readiness; and connections to the world of work. The focus is on drop out prevention; preparation for post-secondary college or technical schools; and assistance with work related goals. These priority services are delivered in partnership with the school system in which the youth is enrolled.

Out-of-school priorities for younger youth (age 14-18) include returning the youth to school for secondary education completion; awareness of post-secondary and technical education; work readiness; and connections to the world of work. For those who are 19-21 years old, primary emphasis is on completing their secondary-education and on building connections to advanced training and/or post-secondary education tied to the completion of a WIA approved credential. For older out-of-school youth, a plan for financial self-sufficiency is the backbone of the service strategy.

The holistic approach begins at the initial registration and continues through the post-exit follow-up.

• Outreach and Recruitment: Includes, but is not limited to, identifying potentially eligible youth, working with parents or guardians to secure necessary documentation, and communicating with schools and community organizations to facilitate outreach and recruitment.
• Orientation: Included in the orientation, youth receive information on all available services, and WorkSource. This process also includes an introduction to the responsibilities of the youth and the System’s expectations with regards to drug and alcohol abuse, governing policies, behavior and attendance.
• Eligibility Determination and Registration: This process begins with an application form to generate all information necessary to determine eligibility.
• Objective Assessment: Each youth participant, is given an objective assessment that incorporates a review of the youth’s skill levels including basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes (including interests and aptitudes for nontraditional jobs), supportive service needs, and developmental needs.
• Individual Service Strategy (ISS): For each youth participant, an individual service strategy is developed that includes the identification of an age-appropriate career goal, taking into consideration the youth’s assessment results and preparation for postsecondary educational opportunities. The ISS information provides linkages between academic and occupational learning, provides preparation for employment, and provides effective connections to intermediary organizations that provide strong links to the job market and employers.
• Case Management: Through individual connection with participants, Case Managers serve as the youths’ advocate within the education, training, and employment arenas.
• System Building: Working together as a system, case managers are goal oriented and customer driven by motivating participants and coordinating services. WIA Case managers bring community resources together to leverage funds and develop opportunities for youth.
• Health and Safety: All participants are provided with information and instruction on the subject of health and safety. In addition, orientations are provided to all work-related site supervisors regarding worker health and safety issues.
• Referral Services: In addition to the information shared at the orientation level, participants receive referral information regarding the full array of applicable and appropriate services. To best meet the needs of youth, organizations are strongly encouraged to network and partner with other youth serving agencies.
• Supportive Services: Intended to enable an individual to participate in program activities and to secure and retain employment, examples include assistance with local transportation costs; childcare and dependent care costs; housing and food; and relocation and out-of-area job search expenses.
• Retention Services (Follow-Up Services): Post-exit services, that may include continued case management; employment retention services; supportive services; counseling; and training, are allowable under WIA. These services are intended to assist customers in maintaining and succeeding in their jobs, as well as progressing in wage levels to achieve self-sufficiency.