The WIOA Youth program provides resources and comprehensive youth services that focus on assisting out-of-school youth, with one or more barriers to employment, prepare for employment and postsecondary education opportunities; attain educational and/or skills training credentials; and secure employment with career/promotional opportunities.
WIOA Youth
Young Adult Career Services
- Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention
- Paid and unpaid work experiences, including summer employment; internships and job shadowing; and pre-apprenticeship programs
- Leadership development opportunities, including such activities as positive social behavior, decision making, and team work
- Adult mentoring (not less than 12 months)
- Alternative school offerings
- Occupational skills training
- Supportive services
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling, including drug and alcohol abuse counseling and other counseling referrals
Follow-up services (12 month requirement):
- Financial Literacy;
- Entrepreneurial Skills;
- Services that provide labor market and employment information in the local area;
- Activities to help youth transition to postsecondary education and training;
- Education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for our WIOA Youth Program, an applicant must fit into at least one of the following categories:
- 16-24 at the time of enrollment
- Reside in Franklin County, Hampshire County, or the North Quabbin
- Currently not attending school (grade school, college, or trade school)
- Face one or more of the following barriers to employment:
- School dropout
- A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter
- A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner
- An offender
- A homeless individual, a homeless child or youth, or a runaway
- An individual in foster care or who has aged out of the foster care system or who has attained 16 years of age and left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption, a child eligible for assistance under sec. 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement
- An individual who is pregnant or parenting
- An individual with a disability
- A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often am I required to meet with my career counselor?
At least once per month, but depending on what you’re working on meeting more often can be helpful!
Will I be paid during my work experience/internship?
Yes! Once you meet the requirements, you can be placed at a local business in your desired field for up to 10 weeks of minimum wage or above paid work.
How do I know if I am eligible for WIOA Youth?
If you are between the ages of 16-24, not currently in school (grade school, college, or trade school), live in Franklin County, Hampshire County, or the North Quabbin, and face at least one of the obstacles to employment covered on our eligibility page then you are likely eligible. We are happy to meet with you to determine your eligibility, and if we find you are not currently eligible we will still give you a detailed orientation of the services you can access on your own at MassHire.
Where do I have my meetings with my counselor?
Great news! We will bring the meeting to you. We love meeting in our career center but if you cannot get here we are happy to meet in your neighborhood or online.
Apply/ Request Information/ Contact
If you are interested in applying to our WIOA Youth program please email us at YAP@masshirefhcareers.org and we will schedule an initial meeting for you with one of our amazing Young Adult Career Counselors.
If you are a business interested in supporting young adults in our communities by providing a work experience internship please contact the Young Adult Programs Manager, Zach Podhorzer, (email) or (413) 774-4361 x 321