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Youth Employment Council

Youth Employment Council

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 Mission – Why Does the Youth Employment Council Exist?

The NWIWB Youth Employment Council exists to facilitate or ensure youth employment services in the community through strategic leadership collaboration with employers and public-private partnerships.

 

What is the Focus of the Youth Employment Council? 

To provide opportunities for employment, training and education to promote successful outcomes for youth.

 

What is the purpose of the Youth Employment Council?  To assist the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board in:

  • Developing and recommending local youth employment and training policy
  • Championing the youth employment and training focus in the community
  • Taking into account a range of issues that can have an impact on the success of youth in the labor market


 

What are the strategic objectives of the Youth Employment Council?

  • Ensure youth are positioned for continuous education, learning, and workforce success

o   Summer Youth Employment Initiative

  • Align education with the necessary business skills (i.e. specific technical skills, soft skills)

o   Employer Expectations

  • Help impoverished youth understand the skills needed to be successful in the workforce

Employers have indicated that Work Ethic skills are one of the top characteristics needed in employees.

One of the fundamental goals of the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board is to produce an emerging workforce that has 21st century skills in order to face the challenges of a global marketplace.

Find out what the work ethic certificate is, who is eligible for it, the criteria for students, and how employers can support Work Ethic here.

 

What are the current Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth programs offered in Northwest Indiana – Region One?

  • JobWorks, Inc. provides services out-of- school youth in Jasper, Newton, Pulaski and Starke Counties. They also provide services to youth enrolled at Center of Workforce Innovations Adult Education locations. Finally, they operate the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) programming for in-school youth at AK Smith Area Career Center, Calumet New Tech High School, East Chicago Central High School, Gary Roosevelt College & Career Academy, Gary West Side Leadership Academy, Wirt/Emerson Visual and Performing Arts, Hammond High School, and Knox High School.
  • Goodwill Industries of Michiana provides services for out-of-school youth in Gary, Hammond, LaPorte, Michigan City, and Portage WorkOne locations and operates the Out of School JAG program at the Gary WorkOne office.

 

What is the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA)?  The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIOA) reformed the federal employment, training, adult education, and vocational rehabilitation programs by creating an integrated “one-stop” system of workforce investment and education services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.1

 

What does the Workforce Investment Act (WIOA) say about youth employment?

The Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 1998 enacted a youth program serving eligible low-income youth, ages 16-24, who face barriers to employment. Local communities provide youth activities and services in partnership with the WIOA One-Stop Career Center System and under the direction of local Workforce Investment Boards in collaboration with a local youth council. 2 WIOA performance standards primary focus on youth placement into employment, post secondary or the military, credentials earned, and literacy gains.

 

Who are the members of the Youth Employment Council?

The Workforce Investment Act (WIOA) designates membership requirements. Membership must include:

  • Educators, employers, representatives from human service agencies with youth interest and expertise in policy making
  • Parents of Workforce Investment Act youth participants
  • Juvenile justice or local law enforcement
  • Local public housing
  • Youth program participants

 

What are the formal duties of the Youth Employment Council members as outlined in the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act?

  • Assist in the development of  a comprehensive local WIOA Youth plan
  • Coordinate youth employment and workforce activities in the local area
  • Recommend local youth providers
  • And other duties deemed to be appropriate by the Chairperson of the Workforce Board

All actions and plans are recommended to the Workforce Board and/or the Executive committee for approval.

 

What is Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)?

JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) is a school-to-career program implemented in schools across the country. JAG’s mission is to keep young people in school through graduation and provide work-based learning experiences that will lead to career advancement opportunities, or to enroll in a post-secondary institution that leads to a rewarding career.3

 

References:

  1. http://www.twc.state.tx.us/boards/wia/txwia.html retrieved November, 2011
  2. http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/ retrieved November, 2011
  3. http://www.in.gov/dwd/2446.htmretrieved November, 2011