Youth Services
EWIB Youth Committee Bridges Education and Careers
The EWIB youth initiatives and programs are linked closely to the local labor market needs and community youth programs and services, with strong connections between academic and occupational learning. Youth programs promote leadership development and citizenship through voluntary community service opportunities. EWIB and our partners promote, advocate for, and support collaborative opportunities that enable all the region’s youth to acquire the necessary skills to transition into the workforce, further their education and training and pursue their careers to become productive, responsible citizens. They devise a strategic plan for action; oversee youth initiatives, programs, and training opportunities.
WIOA In-School Youth Program: COOL (Careers of Our Lives) Directions
EASTCONN, in collaboration with New London Youth Affairs and Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) engage and prepare in-school youth from the Windham, Danielson, Norwich and New London area (aged 16-19, a high school junior or senior who meet the WIOA eligibility guidelines and have barriers to employment). The program provides a continuum of services using a case management model within a pipeline structure identifying career pathways for the delivery of year-round services. The premise of this program is linked to keeping the participant in school while providing direction and focus on the world of education and work after high school graduation. Due to the individualization of the program, the year-round component of the program includes, but is not limited to:
- Academic support, career assessment and transition planning
- Career exploration and labor market information in the form of career inventories, field trips and job shadowing, to explore emerging industry fields along with visits to colleges, technical schools, and businesses to promote further education.
- Job placement/internship/work-based learning opportunities,
- Portfolios documenting all components of the COOL Directions Pipeline program.
- Financial literacy, basic skills in reading and math and life Skills training
- Youth mentorship with a caring adult
- Leadership and team building skill development.
An integral component of the COOL Directions program is the paid internship experience. The internship portion of the program is a continuation of year-round activities and allows the participant to put into practice his/her year-long learning specific to a pipeline. Participants will apply and be interviewed for individualized work site internships (up to 25 hours per week during the summer and between 6-15 hours per week during the school year) that are related to the youth’s career ladder/pipeline interests, and foster growth in work readiness skill development.
Contact: Cyndi Wells, Assistant Director, Adult and Community Programs, EASTCONN, cwells@eastconn.org
WIOA Out-of-School Youth Program: Jobs, Education and Training (JET)
Program sites are conveniently located in Willimantic, Danielson, Norwich, and New London.
Contact:
EASTCONN
Northeast Learning Center
562 Westcott Road, Danielson, CT 06239
Phone: 860-779-3770
EASTCONN
Community Learning Center
Tyler Square: 1320 Main St., Ste. 25, Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: 860-423-2591
TVCCA & Norwich Adult Education
191 Hickory St., Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: 860-823-4299
TVCCA & New London Adult Education
New London Adult Education
3 Shaws Cove, New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860-437-2385 x180
EASTCONN Adult Education, in collaboration with TVCCA, Norwich Adult Education and New London Adult Education, delivers a comprehensive system of education, training, and individualized support to youth ages 17-24 who meet the EWIB’s certification criteria to 17-24 year-olds who want to start their career path J.E.T. students work with a career advisor, a job developer and a teacher on high school completion, job training, work readiness skills and/or a job search. Eligible students are supported with financial assistance for child care, transportation, driver education and other support services. Using a career ladder approach, which consists of learning designed to improve earning potential, youth realize enhanced education and employment opportunities to improve quality of life.
The program, based on a coordinated case management/ education model, provides:
- Career Exploration: Take part in paid internships, on-the-job trainings, job shadows, job searches and post-secondary trainings.
- Work Readiness: Gain skills in resume writing, dressing for success, interview techniques, basic computer literacy, and more.
- Education and Training: Obtain a free high school diploma or GED. Flexible scheduling and part-time attendance are offered. Post-secondary education or occupational skills training is available, pending funding. Financial assistance and transportation is available for eligible participants.
- Training Certificates: Earn a nationally recognized credential in Customer Service.