Helping Young People Work, Earn, and Grow
DEO’s Youth@Work program provides LA County’s future workforce with first-time, paid work experiences with high-growth and high-road sectors, building skills and experiences that meet the region’s talent needs now and in the future. The program offers LA County youth ages 14 to 24 with personal enrichment and hands-on paid work experience through our America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) and local employer partners.
What Youth@Work Offers
Provide 160 hours of personal enrichment training and paid work experience to youth across LA County
Offer paid training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in high-demand industries
Support youth impacted by economic and climate crises and youth facing systemic barriers, including foster, unhoused, LGBTQ+, and justice-involvement
Align youth training with regional workforce needs in healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and creative sectors
Engage participants through workshops focused on leadership, career planning, and peer support to build confidence and lasting networks
Provide LA County employers with access to a new and emerging talent pipeline for up to four months of part-time work, with wage and insurance subsidies
Youth@Work Worksites
For Employers
The Youth@Work Program enrolls employers as host sites. Host sites must work with an AJCC to enroll as a participating employer, identify employer demand and commitments for the program, fill out a host site agreement with a detailed training plan for the 140 hours, identify managerial oversight and point of contact with lead AJCC, and validate hours worked by youth.
DEO is specifically looking for employers who represent high-growth sectors in the region and offer pathways to hire. This includes: Aerospace and Defense, Life Sciences, Construction and Infrastructure, Creative Sector, Early Care and Education, Healthcare, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technology and Trade, Transportation and Logistics.
Eligibility for Businesses
- Located in LA County
- Must meet with an AJCC to enroll as a participating employer
- Complete a host site agreement with a detailed training plan
- Provide managerial oversight and point of contact
- Validate hours worked by participants
*DEO is specifically looking for employers within high-growth sectors in the region that offer pathways to hire. Sectors of interest include Aerospace and Defense, Life Sciences, Construction and Infrastructure, Creative Sector, Early Care and Education, Healthcare, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technology and Trade, Transportation and Logistics.
How to Partner
Employers across LA County interested in creating meaningful work experience can become a host site by sending an email to: hireayouth@opportunity.lacounty.gov. AJCC staff will reach out within 48 hours.
Youth@Work by the Numbers
With a total investment of $45,336,809, including $9,662,400 investment of American Rescue Plan Act pandemic recovery funds, Youth@Work has created meaningful opportunities for young people across LA County. Through strong partnerships with local employers and the AJCCs, the program helps participants gain the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in the workforce.
Opening doors for young people
Youth joined paid training and career development opportunities
Connecting youth to jobs
Participants gained work experience
Long-term opportunity
Youth successfully moved into paid jobs after completing the program
Encouraging education
Participants continued their education after the program
Supporting skill advancement
Youth entered advanced job and skills training programs
Supporting local industries and businesses
