The Program Development and Youth Services Departments are located in the Community Development Center. The center also contains the YPIC Boardroom and classrooms for Work Readiness Workshops.

The Youth Services Department provides Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development Opportunities, and Summer Employment Activities for qualified young people ages 16 through 21.

Are you between the ages of 16 and 21?

If so, you might be eligible to take advantage of the wide variety of education and employment services available through the Youth@Work program. Youth@Work's focus is to help you gain the knowledge and experience you need to make smart career choices and to be competitive in today's job market. No matter what stage of your journey, we have services to help you to the next stepping stone on your path to a successful career and a brighter future.

The Youth Department offers Academic Services, Job Training, Work Experience, and Career Planning and Development programs, Academic Enrichment, On-the-Job Training, Leadership Development, Job Development Opportunities, all of which come with the support, guidance, and counseling of our dedicated staff.

Academic Services

We know that your education is the ticket to your future. Youth@work has what your need to get your successfully through school and onto your future career track.

Whether you are working towards your high school diploma or GED, or already attending college, we are here to help. Academic services include:

• Tutoring
• After School Programs
• Assistance with your High School Diploma or GED preparation
• Academic planning
• College financing resources
• Graduation planning
• And lots more!

Job Training

Our job is to get you ready for your career and we have a variety of services designed to prepare you for success in the world of work.

Take advantage of our work-readiness workshops before your begin your job search to make sure you know what's expected of you on the job. Then get your hands dirty in our work Experience or On-the-Job Training programs.

We want you to be successful. Our staff is here to ensure that you're prepared for your future and have what you need to achieve your goals.

Work Experience

The Work Experience program offers paid or non-paid opportunities for participants to gain experience in the job field while learning about their career interest, in addition to developing their job preparation and retention skills.

On-the-Job Training

On-the-job training provides occupational training in an actual job setting. A contract is established to compensate the employer for the extraordinary costs associated with training an individual who may not be as productive as a highly qualified individual. The employer is reimbursed for up to 50% of the wage rate during the training period. The employer agrees to retain the trainee as a regular employee at the end of the successful contract period.

Career Planning and Development

There are so many important questions to ask and decisions to be made about your future career.

• What kind of education will you need?
• What kind of experience or training is required?
• Are there jobs locally available in your chosen field?

Let us help you explore and evaluate your options. We can help you make a decision and put a plan together for your best tomorrow. Let us assist you with developing a career plan, which includes job preparation, building a resume, interviewing techniques, and employability skills.

GED/Adult Basic Education

Basic education programs provide classroom instruction in educational areas necessary for a customer to function effectively in and out of the workplace. Basic education services for customers enrolled in YPIC programs include Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development (GED) preparation, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These classes are offered at the YPIC Educational Opportunity Center and at other provider locations.

Life Skills Workshops

These workshops provide skills that will assist customers to secure and maintain employment. A variety of workshops are offered and include the following: Career Counseling, Preparing Resumes, Completing Applications, Preparing for an Interview, Dress for Success, Job Search, Who am I and Where do I want to Go, Starting Over Workshop, Job Search Assistance and Resume Posting, and Job Retention. Click here or the image to the right for more information.

Academic Enrichment

The Youth Department offers support for students through their Academic Enrichment Program, which includes paid or non-paid classroom activities to improve academic achievement or to obtain a High School Diploma or GED.

Leadership Development

The Youth Department's Leadership Development program offers a variety of workshops, conferences, community services, and job shadowing opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills.

Job Development Opportunities

The Job Development Opportunities program offers assistance in job search activities and placement opportunities with guidance and support from YPIC's outstanding Youth Specialists.

YPIC is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY: 928-329-6466.

YPIC's Youth@Work operates under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title IB Youth Program which provides services to youth, ages 14-21. The main thrust of the Youth Program is to increase the focus on long-term academic and occupational learning opportunities and provide long-term comprehensive service strategies.

To learn more about workforce development services in Arizona, visit www.azworkforceconnection.com.