We Help Make Your College and Career Dreams Become a Reality
Youth Connections helps you identify and overcome the obstacles that stand in your way of getting an education and building a career. We provide job training, education, and other resources you need to succeed. We work closely with your school’s guidance counselors and have partnered with community businesses so we can all help you achieve your goals.
Whether you have already completed high school or not, we can help get you on a successful career path. Here’s the best part. If you are eligible, these services are provided by WIOA at no cost to you.
- Do you live in one of the following 43 Metro South/West cities and towns?
Acton, Ashland, Bellingham, Bedford, Boxborough, Brookline, Canton, Carlisle, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Wrentham - Are you between the ages of 17-24?
- Do you either need a High School equivalency credential and/or are you looking for post-secondary education and training?
If you answered yes to all of the above, contact Youth Connections today to set up an appointment. Once we determine that you are eligible, you will be matched with a skilled mentor who will help you every step of the way. We have even set up offices throughout the Metro South/West region to make it easy for you to obtain the resources available.
Choose your starting point from one of the Youth Connections programs:
HiSET
If you have not graduated from high school, we offer HiSET services to help you obtain high school graduate equivalency. Our instructors are knowledgeable of the HiSET layout and content and can assist in your preparation for the exam. We offer:
- Comprehensive assessment to work towards a long-term goal
- Focused, targeted, one-on-one tutoring in the areas you find most challenging
- Financial aid for testing and transportation fees
- Support to build confidence in the material
- Flexible scheduling to help accommodate students (for work, daycare or other obligations)
- A reward upon earning HiSET
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
We use skills-based training to develop workers that are ready for the job. Through skills building, training, and educational supports you can explore career opportunities that interest you. Some of the assistance we offer includes but is not limited to:
- Financial aid with post-secondary credentials which can improve job security and increase earnings
- Flexible schedules
- Classes with a hands-on component to gain work experience
- Career placement based on exploration, with the goal of long-term self-sufficiency
- Mentoring throughout the application process and throughout the duration of the training
- Related job search assistance upon completion of training
- Training for “in-demand” jobs to increase economic success
CAREER READINESS
Our Case Managers will meet with you to assess your skills, strengths and areas where you may need a boost. Through this assessment, we’ll explore your career goals and identify the areas where assistance and growth is needed to get you ready for a successful transition into the workplace. Our career readiness programs offer:
- Individualized assistance with resumés, cover letters, and interview preparation
- Comprehensive assessment of your skills, strengths, and interests to develop a self-marketing pitch
- Assistance in interpreting labor market information and applying it to a potential career path
- Focus on communication skills, interpersonal skills, and work ethic
- Support services to help with appropriate interview clothes
- Skills to help develop you for today’s workforce demands
- Instruction on how to negotiate pay, advance in a career, and retain a job
INTERNSHIPS
Through our internship program, we actively coach you to help develop the skills, habits and attitudes needed for success in the workplace. We strive to level the playing field by giving you the tools necessary to increase your potential for future employment. We do this by helping you:
- Gain relevant work experience to increase and improve your skills
- Explore a career before choosing which field to enter into training
- Develop skills in a specific field, which can help build your resumé
- Build relationships with career professionals
- Provide guidance to help you with workplace skills (soft skills)
- Earn money while you learn
- Achieve the potential to be hired at the completion of a successful internship
SKILLS BUILD
SkillsBuild is a six-week summer program that allows you to explore a variety of trades. This program, held at the New England Laborers Training Camp in Hopkinton, MA, strives to expose students to career opportunities and the potential for gainful employment outside of the traditional college path. Through SkillsBuild, you will gain:
- Pre-apprenticeship in the laborers and potential access to Union opportunities
- Exposure to several different trade fields through hands-on experience taught by seasoned professionals
- A stipend for the duration of the program
- Industry-recognized credentials during the program as well as certificates in 6 different areas of apprenticeship readiness
- Introductory knowledge of unions and potential opportunities
