Youth Specialized Services

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted a comprehensive youth employment program for serving eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment. WIOA youth services emphasize services to out-of-school and disconnected youth, high school dropout recovery and attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials. Barriers can include having a low income, not attending or having dropped out of school, foster or runaway youth, basic skills deficient or is an English language learner, an offender, homeless, a pregnant or parenting youth, or a youth with a disability.

The Minnesota Youth Program (MYP) serves low-income and at-risk youth ages 14 to 24 who lack academic and “applied skills” considered critical for current and future workplace needs. MYP benefits youth by providing:

• Immediate earnings from structured, well-supervised work experiences; 
• Work readiness and life skills to foster good work habits and self-sufficiency;
• Career pathways to in-demand occupations; 
• Opportunities to earn academic or service learning credit; 
• Increased self-esteem, as well as citizenship, parenting and leadership skills.

Youth Intervention Program (YIP)’s goal is to help students explore career options and develop plans for transition from high school to post-secondary training and/or competitive employment. In addition, PIC staff will provide youth with information about education and training requirements for careers in high-growth, in-demand occupations; and offer comprehensive, integrated training, job readiness/placement services, and support services.

Individual services include career awareness, discussions and information on non-traditional employment options and identification of career pathways, work-based learning, career preparation, self-advocacy, work-readiness skills training, career placement, and individualized wraparound or support services. Group services include career awareness, career exploration, and information on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs, including admission processes and support resources, work-readiness skills training, career placement, self-advocacy instruction. YIP also supports the annual Breaking Traditions and LifeSkills Events.

Youth at Work offers comprehensive training to young adults ages 16-24 who are economically disadvantaged and/or have at least one barrier to employment. The program enables youth to better understand the connection between work and success, to learn basic work habits and skills, to form a positive relationship with leaders in their communities, and to develop meaningful education and/or employment goals through mentoring provided by the employer, PIC staff, and partner staff. The program will increase exposure to in-demand jobs important to regional economies, introduce and promote career pathways and skill acquisition (academic and work readiness) through project-based instruction; and, promote mastery of work readiness competencies and 21st Century skills.

The Youth Skills Training program develops partnerships between schools and employers at a local level and provides students with classroom instruction, safety training and work based learning opportunities in industries such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care, and information technology.

Explore training and employment programs that will help prepare you for a job or further education! Most training sessions can be completed in three months or less and include customized instruction and support to help you be successful.