Youth Voice Program 

Youth Voice

Youth Voice

The Sacramento Works Youth Committee’s Youth Voice program is dedicated to empowering young people by providing them with a platform to engage in workforce development. This initiative focuses on fostering leadership, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth, and allowing young voices to influence workforce-related decisions and activities in the community.

WIOA (Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act) was signed into law on July 22, 2014, is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to success in the labor market and to match employers with skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. It is a strength-based, paid work experience program for quality high school seniors who are low-income and have at least one barrier. This program provides pre-employment and 21st-century skills training in addition to supportive services to participants who qualify as low-income and have a specific barriers.

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Program Overview

  • Leadership Development- Participate in workshops and activities designed to enhance leadership skills.
  • Networking Opportunities- Connect with professionals, policymakers, and fellow youth leaders.
  • Community Engagement– Contribute to meaningful projects that impact your community positively.
  • Mentorship- Gain guidance and insights from experienced mentors in the workforce development sector.
  • Professional Growth- Cultivate essential soft and hard skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical proficiency.

  • Hands-on Experience– Gain practical public sector experience, including customer service, teamwork, and leadership skills.
  • Training and Mentorship– Receive training in public sector aspects and guidance from experienced department supervisors.
  • Career Development– Learn conflict management, introduction to workforce development and other valuable job skills.
  • Networking– Opportunities to meet and engage with supervisors, managers and other professionals.
  • Certificate of Participation- Receive recognition for your contribution and involvement in the program.
  • Real-World Application– Apply learned skills in a professional setting, gaining insights into workplace dynamics and expectations.
  • Skill Development– The program emphasizes the acquisition of employable skills that are relevant in today’s job market, preparing participants for future career opportunities.
  • Compensation– Earn Paid Wages required minimum of 12 hours per-week.

Under the WIOA there are distinct eligibility requirements for In-School and Out-of-School youth. In order to receive youth services, an individual must meet one of the definitions of eligible youth as provided below:

Out-of-School Youth is one who is:

Not attending any school (as defined under State law), and  16 to 24 years old,

  • A high school dropout
  •  An individual in foster care or aged out of foster care system
  • An individual with a disability
  • A low-income individual, a recipient of a school diploma or recognized equivalent
  • A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an education program or secure/hold employment

In-School Youth is one who is:

  • Attending school
  • 16 to 21 years old
  • Low-income individual
  • Individual with a disability
  • An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational
    program or secure/hold employ

  • Fill out and submit the required registration form below
  • Provide any supporting documents you feel may show favor in your Approval
  • SETA Case Manager will follow-up after application is received and reviewed
  • Onboarding will begin immediately after Review & Approval through WIOA is granted
  • Please continue with consistent communication with SETA Case Manager to show interest

The WIOA Work Experience is a planned and structured learning activity that takes place in a workplace setting for a limited period. This experience is designed to provide young people with hands-on experience and the opportunity to be hired or gain employable skills for future career advancement in the public sector.

During the school year, participants will have the chance to engage in job shadowing, where they can observe professionals or competent workers in action. Our program is a paid, employer-led experience, ensuring that participants not only gain valuable skills but also receive compensation for their work.

  • Enhanced Program Relevance- By actively listening to and incorporating youth feedback, facilitators can tailor programs to better match the interests, needs, and preferences of young participants. This increases the likelihood of engagement and continued participation, leading to more successful outcomes.
  • Improved Program Design and Delivery- Youth feedback provides valuable insights into what aspects of the program are effective and which components may need adjustment. This ongoing input helps facilitators refine their approaches, materials, and activities to better align with youth expectations and learning styles.
  • Increased Ownership and Empowerment- When youth feel heard and see their ideas and suggestions implemented, they are more likely to take ownership of the program. This fosters a sense of empowerment and investment, as participants recognize their role in shaping the program’s direction and success.
  • Better Resource Allocation- By understanding what aspects of the program resonate with youth, facilitators can allocate time, money, and resources more efficiently. This ensures that investments are directed towards activities and initiatives that have the greatest impact and meet the actual needs and desires of the participants.
  • Stronger Relationships and Trust- Engaging youth in meaningful dialogue and incorporating their voices helps build trust between participants and facilitators. This trust lays the groundwork for stronger relationships, encouraging open communication and collaboration throughout the program’s duration.
  • Greater Impact and Outcomes- Programs that effectively incorporate youth voice tend to have more significant and sustainable impacts. Participants are more likely to develop critical skills, achieve personal goals, and experience positive developmental outcomes when they are actively involved in shaping the program.

By prioritizing youth voice, programs become more adaptive, relevant, and impactful, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of young people while maximizing the benefits for everyone involved.

Apply for the Youth Voice Program

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