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Young Adult Program

Young Adult Program

If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and want support finding and developing a career path, the Workforce Young Adult Program might be a perfect fit for you!

With this program, you’ll have a Career Support Specialist working alongside you to identify your career goals, develop a career plan, connect you with resources to build your skills and confidence, and be your cheerleader and guide to get you where you want to go.

We may also be able to connect you with a paid internship experience to grow your work-place skills, confidence, and community connections.

  • Between the ages of 16 and 24 years old
  • Resident of Boulder County or live within St. Vrain Valley School District
  • U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
  • Goal of finding employment or attending college/post-secondary education
  • Face challenges finding employment or attending college/post- secondary education
  • Indicate a need for assistance. Examples (not limited to this list):
    • You are experiencing homelessness
    • You are a parent
    • You dropped out of high school
    • You have been involved with the criminal justice system
    • You are currently in foster care or you have been in foster care in the past
    • You have a disability
  • Motivated to work or go to school
  • Ready to commit to a 12+ month program of ongoing support to reach your goals
  • Register in Connecting Colorado
  • Career Coaching: Ongoing, one-on-one support to help you identify your career and/or educational goals and create an action plan to achieve them.
  • Work-based Learning: Paid, hands-on learning at local employer sites through internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training (train to hire).
  • Post-secondary Education Support: Ongoing, one-on-one assistance with college admission applications, filling out financial aid applications, and connections to available educational programs.

Through working with the Young Adult Program, you will:

  • Discover your strengths and how they relate to employment.
  • Identify career goals that match jobs or industries that are growing in this area.
  • Create your personal budget and learn the income you need to support your living expenses.
  • Develop an updated resume for the career I desire.
  • Learn how to connect or use my community to locate jobs.
  • Uncover how to find jobs using the internet (Connecting Colorado, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.)
  • Grow confidence in your ability to find a job or attend school.
  • State Issued Driver’s License or Identification Card (not expired)
  • Social Security card
  • If you’re male and are 18 years old, you’ll need to register for Selective Service
  • Additional documentation may be needed based on your unique situation

What will happen during my first appointment with my Career Support Specialist?

    • Get to know each other!
    • Take assessments (academic, career, interests, etc.)
    • Go over paperwork
    • Talk about your goals
    • Create a plan specific to your needs and goals

How often will we meet?

You and your Career Support Specialist will design a meeting or “check-in” schedule, agreement and format that works for both of you. To reach the most success in the program, you and your Career Support Specialist will meet a minimum of one time per month.

What does my ongoing participation look like?

Participation includes the following:

  • Engaging in some activity related to your goals (workshops, appointments, tutoring, work experience, etc.
  • Arriving on time for appointments
  • Keeping us in the loop if something changes (phone number, address, career interest, childcare, anything!)
  • Working in partnership with your Career Support Specialist
  • Ongoing support and guidance from your Career Support Specialist

How long will I be in the program for?

This will depend on the individual’s unique needs. On average, people participate in the Young Adult program for 1–2 years.

I understand you can connect me with internships. What’s the benefit of an internship?

During an internship, participants receive training in specific job-related skills. You’ll also gain new skills to understand how the “work-world works” and learn how to create relationships with your co-workers, peers, and supervisor. Internships improve the participant’s confidence to pursue unique career goals and helps boost your resume plus gives you a reference. Plus, you are paid for your work!

Will I get an internship in the industry or job I want?

Maybe! Our role is to really know the jobs in our areas that are growing and can provide financial stability over the long haul. We want to set you up with the most success in your career. We will talk with you about what occupations are in-demand and how much they pay. We will uncover your interests, strengths and transferrable skills, and match that with growing jobs in the Boulder County area.

Are you going to place me in a job?

Workforce Boulder County is not a ‘job placement’ organization, so we do not place people in jobs. Instead, we will empower and support you in learning how to find and apply for jobs that are “in-demand” in Boulder County. Career Support Specialists are in-the-know about growing industries or occupations. We stay abreast of local employment trends to offer current, relevant information and guidance to young adults. Career Support Specialists introduce young adults to the ways to get to know the growing and available jobs in our area, such as LMI Gateway, O*Net Online, Virtual Job Shadow, and more. Our philosophy is to coach you on how to find jobs, advocate for yourself, and land a job in a field that will be sustainable over time.

How can you help me with post-secondary education or applying for college?

Career Support Specialists offer ongoing, one-on-one assistance with college admission applications, filling out financial aid applications (FAFSA and other scholarships/grants), and connections to available educational programs. We are dedicated to helping clients make decisions that best align with where they are now and where they want to grow. We will explain the differences between and the pros/cons of associates degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and certification trainings.

Once I turn 24, am I kicked out of the program?

No. Once you’re in the program, you can keep utilizing our services in the Young Adult program should you chose to do so.

Contact Us

Longmont Office

St Vrain Community Hub
515 Coffman St.
Longmont, CO 80501
720-776-0822
Fax: 720-864-6610
Map and Directions Longmont Office
Mon-Thurs, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Fridays

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