Youth and Young Adults

Southeast Pennsylvania Opportunity Youth Study

The workforce development boards of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, and Montgomery counties commissioned a study to gather qualitative and quantitative information on Opportunity Youth or OY, youth aged 16-24 who are neither in the workforce nor pursuing education. The study will help guide county-based and regional strategies to reengage youth in educational and occupation programs. The data collected and analyzed  include the demographics and attributes of disconnected youth, the COVID-19 impact on disconnected youth by county and region, secondary indicator data related to disconnected youth including mental health, and additional data derived from the research process. In all, over 1,000 individuals across the six counties were engaged throughout the course of this study. The report identifies regional themes and includes strategies and recommendations to address the most critical needs associated with Southeast Pennsylvania (SEPA) opportunity youth. Read the full study here.

MontcoWorks provides a variety of programs for youth and young adults to help find training, education, and employment opportunities with primary focus on:

Workforce Readiness

Educational Attainment

Career Exploration

MontcoWorks Youth Services

  

 

  

MontcoWorks NOW pic 12-11-17

MontcoWorks NOW serves at-risk youth and young adults who reside in Montgomery County, are between the ages of 14-24, and are presented with a significant barrier to completing or advancing in education or obtaining employment.

MontcoWorks NOW provides comprehensive, year-round programs and services for eligible youth and young adults who are either in school, have left school without a diploma and are now motivated and re-engaged, or have graduated and are unemployed/underemployed.

MontcoWorks NOW programs and services (both in-house and through collaborative partners) include, but are not limited to:

  • Supportive and case management services
  • Academic tutoring and study skills training
  • Job readiness and workplace etiquette workshops
  • Various occupational skills training programs for in-demand industry sectors
  • Paid and unpaid work experiences
  • GED preparation classes
  • Pre-apprenticeship programs
  • Job shadowing
  • Professional adult mentorships
  • Leadership development opportunities
  • Entrepreneurial skills training
  • Industry and college tours
  • Career fairs
  • Mock interviewing and professional resume writing 

For more information, visit the MontcoWorks NOW website at http://www.mciu.org/now/ or sign up for a virtual information session here.

Services and activities are funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

 

TANF Youth Development Funds are used for youth workforce development programs for eligible youth between 12 (or having completed 5th grade) and 24 years of age at the time of enrollment. After school and summer programs consist of:

  • Homework assistance
  • Developing work skills
  • Entrepreneurial activities
  • Time management
  • Career exploration
  • Financial literacy
  • Life skills development
  • Interpersonal skills development
  • Healthy recreation
  • Civic service projects
  • Conflict resolution
  • Mentorships
  • Leadership and team building development
  • Career awareness focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers
  • College preparation

Youth Committee


The Youth Committee is comprised of community leaders from the business, education, public and private sector who meet quarterly to guide and evaluate program services and outcomes. The Committee reports to MontcoWorks regarding outcomes and program services. 

More information about the Youth Committee