What’s going on:
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Youth Systems Building Academy has chosen nine “communities” and their partners to expand opportunities for youth workers throughout the country and improve their employment prospects.
Following an initial in-person session from March 7-9, 2023, these selected communities will continue to collaborate online until they convene again in the summer of 2023, according to the US Department of Labor.
Why it matters:
Established in December 2022, the Youth Systems Building Academy (administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration) is geared to bolster the capacity of local organizations to serve youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are disconnected from school and work, as well as those in marginalized and underrepresented communities.
Through training and technical assistance, the academy provides workforce systems and their community partners with the opportunity to explore, design, test, implement, or expand approaches to attract young workers and ensure their success in the workplace.
How it’ll impact the future:
The department has issued a National Call to Action in order to encourage stakeholders and partners to join forces in the pursuit of this initiative.