Youth Work Experience Programs Helps Businesses Try Out New Talent; Trains Youth in First Jobs

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board (FVWDB) invites local employers to participate in the Youth Work Experience Program — a no-cost opportunity to train and evaluate potential future employees. Through the program, employers train youth participants to meet their specific business needs, while FVWDB pays all wages and associated taxes for the duration of the work experience. Young people enrolled in the program use this time to see what it’s like to work outside the home, while making an hourly wage.

As the host employer, businesses make the final hiring decision, provide on-the-job training, sign weekly timesheets, and offer feedback on learning objectives. FVWDB’s career planners handle all payroll, tax filings, and evaluation paperwork — making it easy and risk-free for employers to participate.

“This program gives local employers a chance to shape their future workforce while helping young people in our region gain valuable skills,” said Anthony Snyder, CEO of FVWDB. “It’s a win for businesses, families with future workers and our community.”

The individuals enrolled in the program – youth ages 14-24 – come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but currently lack work skills that will be vital in the economy now and in the future. These paid work experiences, under the supervision of an employer and the coaching of a Work Experience Career Planner, is designed to help young people explore careers, develop skills, and gain work maturity. These experiences are tailored to the participant’s long-term goals and can be supplemented with other support services like job readiness training or counseling.

The program is open to private, non-profit, and public sector employers. Interested businesses and interested enrollees, ages 14-24, can contact Lea Keesler, Work Experience Director, via phone or text at (920) 886-7107 or lkeesler@fsc-corp.org to learn more.

Funded primarily by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the FVWDB leads a number of workforce development and job training programs in its six-county area of Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago. For more information, visit www.fvwdb.com.