OCWIB’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program
What Will It Take To Prepare Tomorrow’s Workforce?
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program emphasizes the long-term educational and career development of low income young people ages 16-21 who are either foster/emancipated, pregnant/parenting, ex-offender, disabled, deficient in basic skills, a school dropout, homeless, runaway, or have other barriers to employment. Through a network of regional service providers, the WIA Youth Program focuses on offering eligible participants access to 10 components that will successfully connect them to the labor market:
- Career exploration and preparation
- Paid and unpaid work experience
- Occupational skills training
- Academic skills improvement
- Alternative secondary education services
- Summer employment opportunities
- Leadership skills development and opportunities
- Supportive services such as assistance with transportation, child care and school supplies
- Comprehensive guidance counseling
- Follow-up services
Consistent with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) and the California Employment Development Department’s (EDD) guidelines, the OCWIB is committed to the success of Orange County youth by assisting the participants in achieving:
- Placement in Employment or Education
- Attainment of a Degree or Certificate
- Literacy and Numeracy Gains
CAREER ADVENTURE PROJECT FOR FOSTER, EMANCIPATING AND EMANCIPATED YOUTH
Purpose
The Career Adventure Project’s is a Pre-Vocational Training Program designed to prepare foster, emancipating or emancipated youth (ages 16-21) to enter career technical training, post-secondary educational programs, apprenticeships, or employment by introducing them to high wage/high growth career occupations, improving their basic academic skills and industry-identified soft skills.
The City of La Habra and the Irvine Unified School District provide outreach and recruitment, assessment, case management, career exploration, short term pre-vocational, job development, work experience, supportive and follow-up services to eligible participants countywide.
The Career Adventure Project is the response to the California Workforce Investment Board’s solicitation for demonstration projects that create pre-vocational components for at-risk youth. The project supports the Governor’s vision to develop a demand-driven, locally based workforce investment system throughout the State that prepares workers for high wage/high growth occupations.
Term
June 6, 2007 through December 31, 2008