DCAYA believes that there are multiple viable pathways for youth to become successful and productive members of society. We focus on areas of Youth Workforce Development to ensure that the District continues to develop and strengthen its system of work-readiness services, skills training and certification programs, and employment opportunities for young people.
Download Youth Workforce Development Issue Brief
Contact us
Email Amy Dudas, our Director of Re-engagement & Workforce Initiatives, with any Youth Workforce Development related questions, comments, concerns, or general information.
Resources
Alliance for Quality Career Pathways Framework Version 1.0
From the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP):
The Alliance, or AQCP, is a partner-driven, CLASP-led initiative funded by the Joyce Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. The Alliance’s goal is to help state and local/regional partnerships strengthen their career pathway systems. In 2012, CLASP invited ten leading career pathway states and their local/regional partners to join Phase I of the Alliance (2012-2014). CLASP and the Alliance partners jointly developed and provided consensus support for the Alliance for Quality Career Pathways Framework 1.0, which establishes a common understanding of quality career pathways and systems.
Local
DC Department of Employment Services
The Office of Youth Programs (OYP) develops and administers workforce development programs for District youth ages 14-24. OYP provides occupational skills training, work experience, academic enrichment and life skills training to facilitate the development of work habits and skills that are essential for success in the workplace.
National
CLASP
CLASP works to strengthen federal and state education and training policy to ensure that low-wage workers and low-income individuals can enter and advance in the labor market, and to make sure that American businesses have access to workers with skills they need to compete. It also develops and advocates for policies that connect individuals with low basic skills to postsecondary education and jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.
The National Youth Employment Coalition
The National Youth Employment Coalition improves the effectiveness of organizations that seek to help youth become productive citizens through a range of projects, programs, and activities that track, craft, and influence policy, set and promote quality standards, provide and support professional development, and build and increase the capacity of organizations and programs.
Youth Radio's Youth Jobs Desk
Youth Radio is the nations premiere youth-driven journalism organization. For over two years, Youth Radio was contracted by the New Options Project to explore stories related to youth employment, career training, and the skills gap. Archived here are a selection of the roughly 150 stories produced over that period.