The Kollab Youth Workforce Development Program (14-19 age)

Youth economic advancement

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) recommends that youth programs include multiple elements, including education and other supportive services, work experience, occupational skills training, mentoring, leadership development opportunities, and follow-up support. Kollab Youth’s target demographic is under served and under resourced youth in Los Angeles county. Kolllab Youth offers career exploration through virtual master class sessions, one-on-one mentorship with industry professionals, field trips, scholarships, internships and apprenticeships.
WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.

The Kollab Youth Workforce Development Program is an award winning 501(c)3 public charity organization and CA DAS Registered STEM Pre-Apprenticeship Program created for under resourced middle and high school students. Kollab program helps them explore career opportunities in business, STEM and other emerging 21st century careers that are high growth and high wage jobs. Kollab Youth receive mentorship from industry experts and earn resume-worthy work experience through paid apprenticeships and internships connecting them with the future workforce and preparing them to compete in tomorrow’s workplace. Kollab Youth ensures our Los Angeles County youth have the skills and knowledge they need to contribute to the global economy. Cultivating resourcefulness as a skill prepares young people for jobs that may not yet exist; in fact, the more resourceful they are, the more likely the next generation will be to create their own jobs - and companies that will create jobs for others. Mentorship is a significant part of the personal and professional journey for our youth.

We believe every student should have equal access to education, experiences and career opportunities that will help them reach their full potential and provide economic and income mobility. The Kollab Youth goal is to ensure that future employees have the soft, essential, and technical skills to compete and prosper in the global economy. Cultivating resourcefulness as a skill prepares young people for jobs that may not yet exist; in fact, the more resourceful they are, the more likely the next generation will be to create their own jobs - and companies that will create jobs for others. Kollab Youth'sTeen Leadership Council was created to empower the next generation of changemakers. These teen leaders bring their unique perspectives, ideas, and lived experiences to the table, helping to shape and improve Kollab Youth in ways that are truly impactful. The Council's leadership and commitment has paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for youth everywhere!

Kollab Youth is targeting foster, opportunity and justice-impacted youth in all five LA County Districts. Our data for 2023 shows the most populated district was District 1 containing 35% of our youth, followed by District 2 and District 3 with 25%, District 4 with 8%, District 5 with 6%, and youths living outside LA County. Youth whoparticipated in our program in 2023 live Los Angeles city, containing 154 out of the 326 total youth.The next most populated cities are Canoga Park with 15 youth, El Monte with 12, and Redondo Beach and San Gabriel with 10. In Los Angeles County, African American children make up 8% of the general child population (0-17 years old) but they comprise 27% of the DCFS out of home population. Additionally, Black/African American children are seven times as likely to be in foster care as White children and nearly four times as likely as Latino children. This is why recruiting African American youth is a major focus for our program.