Youth Services

The Pittsburgh Partnership makes available a wide range of youth employment (workforce development) services aimed at increasing the employability and job readiness of young job seekers.  The ultimate goal is to impart knowledge and experience that will allow disadvantaged youth to be placed in either employment or post secondary education, obtain an industry or employer recognized certificate or credential, and increase reading and math computational skills.  Programs that are supported by the Pittsburgh Partnership are intended to lead to successful negotiation of post secondary education and/or other career-based employment.
Services are carried out through community and non-profit organizations, colleges and universities and for-profit corporations and businesses.  This allows a variety of geographical locations and workforce preparation options for the young job seeker and student.  This community oriented programming design also allows multiple points of entry into the workforce development system, an extensive menu of youth consumer training choices, a complex and sizeable matrix of service delivery methods for the practitioner and a multi-dimensional platform on which to exchange service delivery concepts among service providers. 
Programs also help youth stay in school, advance academically or investigate college or post-secondary education.  Many of the programs have summer or year-round employment as a component, but this option requires a year long commitment to the program.  The commitment does not necessarily mean a person must work steadily all year long, but rather participate in career development and career exploration activities for a year.  
Enrollment in most of these programs requires verification that youth meet eligibility guidelines including income, residency, family size and age.

Programs supported by the Pittsburgh Partnership must assist youth with exploring careers, discovering career potential and investigating the labor market using the Pa CareerLink system and its various resources.

In order to improve the CareerLink experience, the Pittsburgh Partnership developed the YouthLINK concept. The YouthLINK initiative coordinates youth employment and training initiatives in compact geographical areas within the City of Pittsburgh for youth job seekers and youth who are transitioning from City-supported training programs to employment. YouthLINK provides an enhanced job search experience and core CareerLink services to all interested youth, while expanding the capacity of the CareerLink to serve more City of Pittsburgh residents.
For additional information about Pittsburgh Partnership's youth programs, call Jim Brenner at (412) 552-7035 or contact him by e-mail.