Youth

Who are they in the context of local workforce systems? Youth include students in high school vocational or career technical education programs, young people who did not complete high school, and young people who did complete high school and are seeking postsecondary credentials or employment services. Youth served by local workforce programs are typically ages 16 to 24 and include those enrolled in formal education.

How do they use local workforce systems? Youth may be in high school and want to learn about different occupations and how to pursue a particular career path. They may have fallen behind or dropped out of high school. Some youth are not in school and not working (sometimes called “opportunity youth”). Factors such as discrimination, substandard secondary education, and higher incarceration rates often limit college and career prospects for youth of color. Some local workforce system initiatives actively seek to address barriers faced by opportunity youth and youth of color.