Youth Services

The goal of FloridaWorks is to establish a workforce development system that is responsive to the growing needs of Alachua and Bradford counties’ expanding business environment. To provide for the counties’ future needs, we hope to connect youth and first-time job seekers with meaningful and self-sufficient employment. 

The WIA Youth Program assists eligible youth in achieving academic and employment success through:

1. Tutoring, study skills training, dropout prevention strategies
2. Alternative secondary school offerings
3. Summer employment opportunities linked to academic and occupational learning
4. Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing
5. Occupational skill training
6. Leadership development opportunities
7. Support services
8. Mentoring
9. Follow-up services
10. Comprehensive guidance and counseling

To be eligible for WIA Youth Services you must be:

1. A U.S citizen or eligible to work in the U.S
2. Between 14-21
3. A member of a low-income family or an individual who is a low-income youth with a disability
4. Have one or more of the following barriers
   1. School dropout
   2. Deficient in basic literacy skills
   3. Homeless, runaway, or foster child
   4. Pregnant or parenting
   5. An offender
   6. Require additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment

Exciting Youth Program training programs:

• TechQuest
• Solar Installation
• Carbon Footprint
• Digital Media
• Energy Auditor

GIVING CHILDREN HOPE AND SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY is a parent's handbook on the future world of work. It was written by Susan M. Quattrociocchi, Ph.D., and Barbara Peterson, M.A. If you would like to receive a hard copy of this booklet, please contact the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics, at (850) 245-7205. You may click on the book title above to view an electronic version.

Alachua YouthBuild targets out of school youth between the ages of 18-22 that lack a high school diploma/GED and would like assistance attaining educational, occupational and leadership skills enabling them to become economically self-sufficient. The program engages young people by offering an alternative to the traditional school. Fifty percent of time is spent in educational pursuits — project-based activities targeted at increasing skills for obtaining a GED. Forty percent of the time is spent in construction/job skills training, and ten percent is spent in leadership development.

For more information about YouthBuild click here

Alachua Greenbuild is an exciting program within Alachua County that provides youth with the opportunities to learn and work inside the Green construction industry. The Greenbuild program is supported by the foundation set forth in the Alachua YouthBuild project and provides the needed skills training for Green jobs in the construction and retrofit industries.

For more information about GreenBuild click here