• YOUTH EMPLOYMENT: Early exposure to high-growth/high-demand career paths are imperative to the development of our youth and our workforce. Youth should be actively seeking career exploration & job readiness opportunities before or during their freshman year of high school! We must begin to cultivate the mindset and habits that lead to a successful career early. This includes exposure to quality career paths, understanding what skills are required to compete and perform. Developing job readiness and soft skills that will put them in the position to take full advantage of quality career opportunities. Lastly, a firm understanding of financial and money management and how the practice of group economics is the key to creating viable opportunities for themselves as well as the maintenance and growth of local communities. Below is a timeline to guide youth towards a viable career with livable wages.

• If you are a youth who has separated from school, it is important that you IMMEDIATELY get enrolled in a youth program that can assist you with the education and information needed to develop the skills towards self-sufficiency. Regardless of the reason that you were separated from school, time is on your side. Contact your local library or local job center TODAY to enroll in a youth program and begin classes to complete your HiSET or GED.

Click links for more information:

1. Career exploration & job readiness (Ages 14-15)

• STL Youth Jobs (applications for summer jobs start each year in March).

• Youth programs offered through your local job center.(WIOA eligibility required, sign up for guide below).

2. Youth work experience (Ages 15-17)

• STL Youth Jobs (applications for summer jobs start each year in March).

• Paid youth work experience offered through your local job center.(WIOA eligibility required, sign up for guide below).

3. Pre-apprenticeship (Ages 17-18)

• Meet with the career counselor at your high school to inquire about pre-apprenticeship programs that lead into apprenticeship programs. (Contact your local job center to find out which programs can be paid for with WIOA).

4. Apprenticeship, Trade school or College (Ages 18+)

• Meet with the career counselor at your high school to inquire about pre-apprenticeship programs that lead into apprenticeship programs. (Contact your local job center to find out which programs can be paid for with WIOA).

5. Employment

• Contact your local job center for assistance with direct employment.

• PAID ADULT WORK EXPERIENCE: Paid adult work experience opportunities are available for individuals with limited work experience or who have been separated from employment for an extended period time. Work experience allows the job seeker and employer the opportunity to "experience" a paid work opportunity for up to 12 weeks to determine if it is a good fit. (WIOA eligibility is required contact your local job center to find out what programs are available and which can be paid for with WIOA).

• SURVEY TECHNICIAN: Survey technicians are in high demand across several industries. With this position the main employers are construction companies as well as surveying and engineering firms. During this paid apprenticeship you will become a full-time employee with benefits while you learn on-the-job earning credits and valuable credentials, such as drone operation through coursework at the community college. (There are several funding sources for this program. Contact your local job center to find out which programs can be paid for with WIOA). CLICK HERE for more information on this program.

• MEDICAL ASSISTANT @ Wash U: Medical Assistants are in high demand and the healthcare industry has unlimited opportunities for growth. During this paid apprenticeship you will become a full time employee with benefits with Washington University while you learn on-the-job and work towards completing your certification as a medical assistant. This is a wonderful opportunity to earn while you learn and access the globally respected Wash U network of career opportunities. (There are several funding sources for this program. Contact your local job center to find out if you are eligible to have this program paid for with WIOA). CLICK HERE for more information on this program.

• MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING: Use this space to elaborate on your headline and connect with your visitors. You can build on the first idea or add your second point. Now that you've got your visitors' attention, let them know what they can expect, and encourage them to explore your site.

• STERILE PROCESSING: Sterile Processing technicians are in high demand and the healthcare industry has unlimited opportunities for growth. During this paid apprenticeship you will become a full time employee with benefits with This is a wonderful opportunity to earn while you learn and access the globally respected Wash U network of employment opportunities. (There are several funding sources for this program. Contact your local job center to find out if you are eligible to have this program paid for with WIOA). CLICK HERE for more information on this program.

• HYDROPONIC FARM TECHNICIAN: Fresh Harvest 365 has created an 8 week apprenticeship program that will train you in hydroponic farming. Through classroom, lab, and field training you will learn how to grow produce and maintain hydroponic farming systems. Upon completion of the apprenticeship program you will receive a certificate for fresh harvest 365 training program,

  a certificate for 10-Hour OSHA and general safety class and full-time employment with Bayer Crop Sciences.

Training includes:

• Practical Simulations in HVAC

• Practical Simulations in Electrical

• Practical Simulations in Plumbing

• Practical Simulations in Facilities Maintenance

• Practical Simulations in Entrepreneurship

(There are several funding sources for this program. Contact your local job center to find out if you are eligible to have this program paid for with WIOA). CLICK HERE for more information on this program.

• CULINARY: Propel Kitchens has created an 8-10 week work experience program to provide a paid opportunity for participants to train in a state-of-the-art commercial teaching kitchen. This training will involve an introduction to high-volume batched cooking. This level of production kitchen training and experience is unique in the region and provides a value-added opportunity for those interested in institutional food service production. All participants of the Propel Kitchens Work Experience Program will receive high quality training from industry professionals. You can expect to be trained on the proper sanitization requirements of a commercial kitchen and will be provided with the opportunity to learn basic cooking roles, which include culinary math. The skills achieved through this program are transferable and will provide value-added opportunities for whatever culinary role our participants will explore. All participants will receive the industry acknowledged credentials as a ServSafe Food Handler. (WIOA eligibility is required contact your local job center to find out what programs are available and which can be paid for with WIOA). CLICK HERE for more information on this program.

• LOGISTICS/CDL: The demand for truck drivers is relatively high, with a shortage of over 80,000 truck drivers across the country, a gap that is projected to grow even larger in the coming years. The job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Missouri is projected to grow at a rate about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 240,300 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade. Missouri's central location and access to major east-west routes make it an important hub for the trucking industry.  (There are several training options for this program. (Contact your local job center to find out if your are eligible to have this program paid for with WIOA).

• HiSET/GED: Adult Education and literacy offers a variety of FREE adult education services for individuals 17 and older.  Classes are individualized. You can work at your own pace on the skills you need. In classes you will:

  • Improve basic reading, writing, and math skills

  • Develop Workforce skills

  • Prepare for the Missouri High School Equivalency Tests (HSE/GED)

  • Prepare for Postsecondary Education

  • Prepare for the WorkKeys and Job Placement tests

  By attending classes you can:

  • Invest in your future

  • Improve your skills

  • Earn your HS diploma/credential

  • Qualify for a better job

  • Prepare for college or a technical school

  (Contact your local library or local job center to enroll in these FREE classes).

• REENTRY AND RETURNING CITIZENS: If you are an individual who is justice involved or has been previously incarcerated there are services available to you. The St. Louis County Library partners with several justice-involved organizations to provide a Tap In Center to help individuals recall bench warrants and connect with local support services. The truth is that depending on the offense hiring opportunities are limited. Justice involvement continues to be a significant barrier to getting hired and receiving a livable wage. A realistic path forward is to increase your skill level significantly with the TUITION-FREE training available through your local job center. Utilize the TUITION-FREE training to obtain skills that increase your career value in the job market and create opportunities for you. In addition, you can utilize the TUITION-FREE training to obtain skills in a trade that allows you to create your own service-based business as an entrepreneur. (WIOA eligibility is required contact your local job center to find out what programs are available and which can be paid for with WIOA)

• WASH U CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES: Are you looking for management and advanced level opportunities in your career? CAPS offers a variety of degree and certificate programs tailored to meet the demands of the regional job market. The dynamic curriculum, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, ensures you gain the skills and knowledge employers are seeking. Whether you’re looking to upskill, reskill, or achieve a new qualification, our programs provide the practical, career-focused education you need to thrive.

(ONLY SPECIFIC CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS ARE WIOA ELIGIBLE. VERIFY WHICH ARE COVERED WITH YOUR LOCAL JOB CENTER.).