Youth Program
Our Youth Program helps in-school and out-of-school youth train for high-demand careers in Northwest Arkansas, preparing them for college, advanced training, or the workforce after high school.
About the Youth Program
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title IB Youth Program serves out-of-school youth ages 16–24 by providing career pathways, academic support, and occupational learning opportunities through long-term, comprehensive service strategies. Designed to prepare young people in Northwest Arkansas for post-secondary education, training, or employment after completing high school, the program also addresses the challenge of Arkansas’ aging workforce, helping to build the next generation of skilled workers to meet future demands.
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An individual who is not attending any school and who has not received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent
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A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter session of school
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A low-income individual who requires additional assistance
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An offender (or ex-offender)
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A homeless individual
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A runaway
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An individual with a disability
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A high school graduate(or equivalent) who is low- income and who is also either basic skills deficient or an English language learner
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An individual in foster care or who has aged out of foster care or who has attained 16 years of age and left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption or a child eligible for assistance under sec. 477 of the Social Security Act or in an out-of-home placement
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A pregnant woman or a parenting man or woman (custodial or non-custodial)
Registered for Selective Service or valid exemption
Be able to work in the United States
Provide a valid Social Security Number
Not attending school at time of enrollment
Eligibility
Eligible out-of-school youth may not be younger than 16 years old nor older than 24 years at the time of enrollment and meet the following eligibility requirements listed below:
An individual that meets one of the following:
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Tutoring, study skills training and instruction, and dropout prevention services
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Alternative secondary school services or dropout recovery services
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Paid and unpaid work experiences
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Education offered concurrently with workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation
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Occupational skill training
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Leadership development
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Opportunities
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Supportive services
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Adult mentoring
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Follow up services
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Comprehensive guidance and counseling
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Financial literacy education
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Entrepreneurial skills training
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Services that provide labor market and employment information about in-demand industry sectors
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Activities that help youth prepare for and transition to post-secondary education and training
WIOA Youth Program Overview
WIOA is designed to increase participant access to training services. Training services are provided to equip individuals to enter the workforce and retain employment. Examples of training services include: