Employment & Training Association, Inc.

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Youth Opportunities Program

The Youth Opportunities Program (YO) is an employment and training program serving Dane County's economically disadvantaged youth and young adults. YO is a U.S. Department of Labor - Workforce Investment Act funded program, administered by the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin within the Dane County Job Center and operated by Employment and Training Association.

YO Employment & Training Specialists serve out-of-school youth focusing on career development and re-engagement in education that leads to a high school diploma, post-secondary education or training, employment, and interpersonal and life skills. To do so, they work collaboratively with area high schools, technical colleges, employers, and community based organizations.

Services include:

• Work Preparation Activities including resume writing, cover letter writing and interviewing skills
• Job Search Assistance
• Job Shadowing
• Occupational Skills Training
• Career Exploration and Assessments
• Access to up to $3,000 per year of training funds to assist with financial aid
• Assistance paying for the fees for GED/HSED testing
• Preparation for post-secondary education opportunities
• Tutoring services and connection with alternative secondary schools
• Mentoring
• Guidance and Counselling

Eligibility Criteria:

• Meet or fall below the maximum household income guidelines established by the Department of Labor
• Not currently enrolled in high school, or enrolled in high school with a truant status
• Be Twenty-one years of age or younger at the time of registration
• Demonstrate a need for services by possessing one of the following barriers to employment:
  • Homeless
  • Residing in foster care
  • Lacking competitive work history
  • Basic Skills deficient (possess a math or reading level below ninth grade)
  • Possess a disability that is a barrier to employment
  • Offender
  • High School drop-out

HOW TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

For more information, parents and youth are welcome to attend an orientation session. Sessions are held every Tuesday, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Dane County Job Center. Registration in advance is not required. For additional information regarding the orientation sessions, follow this link to our YO Orientation Flyer. To refer an individual to participate in the program, please print out, complete and send in a referral form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT YO@EATA.ORG OR:

Sandra Howland, Employment & Training Specialist
Email - showland@eata.org
Telephone - 608-242-4548

John Hiester, Employment & Training Specialist
Email - jhiester@eata.org
Telephone - 608-242-4547