Youth Development
In the REB's Strategic Plan, strategic goals in four key areas to build the overall quality of our workforce are set forth. One of those is to "Develop Youth Employability Skills" in which we commit to improving and expanding workforce development programs and services for youth, especially older youth who need basic skills development, English language proficiency and employment.
In order to accomplish that the REB engages community partners in collaborations that will align youth services and result in a more coordinated system of youth development; expands and improves youth work readiness services and internships and works with our One-Stop Career Center services to meet the unique employability needs of out-of-school and unemployed youth. The REB also works with the Career Centers and various generous employers who contribute private funds towards our Center for Youth Internships and Employment which works to develop privately-funded employment and internship opportunities. Every year the REB launches a Summer Jobs Campaign to augment our publicy-funded summer jobs programs to both increase summer jobs in the private sector as well as raise funds to place more youth. See the brochure to the right for more information and this year's summer jobs program as well as Job Order/Donation Forms for both Career Point and FutureWorks Career CentersYour nearest Career Center can help you find a job (summer or year-round), an internship, good career information, training, and support services. Here in Hampden County, we take a one-stop service approach to bring you all the information you need in one place. Since 1996, two Career Centers have been providing this excellent level of service.
FutureWorks is a Career Center located at One Federal Street in Springfield . CareerPoint is a Career Center located at 850 High Street in Holyoke . You can find Youth Employment and Training Solutions at either of these locations. These centers are free to use, are funded by the federal and state government, and have staff from other workforce agencies co-located on site to provide a wide range of services.
