JGD-USA Apprenticeship Pathways Program (APP)

Income inequality

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

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

In Los Angeles, thousands of opportunity youth—young people ages 18–24 who are disconnected from school and work—face systemic barriers to economic mobility. Those impacted by incarceration, foster care and other systems are often further excluded from pathways to living-wage careers, particularly in creative industries where access relies on privilege and personal networks.
This exclusion is not due to a lack of talent, but a lack of opportunity. In our 13 years working with over 2,225 system-impacted and formerly justice-involved youth, we have seen time and again the immense creative and technical potential that goes untapped due to stigma, trauma and systemic inequity.
However, employment alone does not address the interconnected challenges that prevent sustained success—access to stable housing, community support, mental health care and more are equally vital. Unfortunately, obtaining these critical resources can be difficult and overwhelming for youth without strong networks.

APP will be a comprehensive apprenticeship initiative for system-impacted and formerly incarcerated youth ages 18–24, focused on career pathways in sound design and camera operation. The program combines hands-on technical training with scaffolded learning modules that build skills progressively—from equipment setup and software proficiency to advanced production techniques. Apprentices will engage in real-world projects and gain direct experience from in-house mentors who will provide ongoing guidance, feedback and career coaching. All apprentices will be paid at a minimum of $22.50 per hour, with wages increasing throughout the program.
Alongside technical instruction, the program will include access to life skills support, case management and mental health services. These services will be guided by our trained case managers who will build individualized case plans to address topics like financial literacy, emotional well-being, housing, somatic stress management, parenting and more, based on each participant’s unique needs.
JGD’s CAPO Center is strategically located in neutral gang territory on the Hollywood/West Hollywood border, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for participants and staff. Networking opportunities with dedicated employers are also a key component, ensuring apprentices transition into well-matched jobs. This integrated approach equips youth not only to secure and retain living-wage employment but to build sustainable, fulfilling careers.

Our vision is for Los Angeles to become a place where systems-impacted young people can easily acquire valuable technical skills but also develop the resilience and life skills necessary to maintain long-term employment and personal stability. Through a holistic approach that integrates rigorous education, comprehensive wraparound supports and individualized mentorship, we aim to disrupt cycles of poverty and trauma that have historically limited opportunity for these youth.
Long-term, we plan to scale this model by expanding to additional film and media pathways and partnering with more employers across Los Angeles County, creating a replicable framework that other organizations can adopt. This will foster broader systemic change by increasing access to quality jobs and career advancement for opportunity youth, helping to reduce income inequality and increase pathways to economic mobility in the region.