Youth Career Program (YCP)
The Youth Career Program (YCP) is an intensive 8-week initiative designed to equip young individuals with the skills and experience needed for successful employment. The program encompasses 30 hours of job readiness workshops, covering essential areas such as financial literacy, time management, workplace culture, conflict management, and SMART goal setting. Participants also benefit from hands-on work-based learning experiences.
Aligned with the US Department of Labor’s Youth Employment Works Strategy, YCP ensures that young people have multiple pathways to access quality jobs and opportunities. Our focus is on permanent job placement and providing career pathway resources that extend beyond the summer.
The program targets youth aged 16-24 who face employment barriers, including low-income backgrounds, disabilities, justice involvement, unemployment, and those who have aged out of foster care. YCP’s mission is to prepare these young individuals for the workforce, laying a solid foundation for their future success.
Highlights:
- 135 eligible applicants enrolled into YCP
- 104 maintained active enrollments into YCP
- 91 participants-maintained job placements throughout the summer program
- 81 youths completed 30 hours of face-to-face job readiness training prior to job placement
- 77 youths engaged in the ACT WorkKeys assessments with passing scores
- 31 earned the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- 7 youths 18-24 have permanent Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) job offers (livable wages) results from last week’s special hiring event with HII
- 8 youth 18-24 will attend Virginia Technical Academy for 8 weeks of intense technical training in plumbing, electrical and HVAC- leading to permanent placement with local employer partners.
- Over 50 employers participated in YCP
- Focus on all year around work-based learning, career advising, and financial literacy for 18 to 24 age group through BCIOC and its partners Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Virginia Peninsula Community College
Partnerships and Collaborations
The City of Newport News is steadfast in its mission to broaden opportunities for diverse populations and communities. Through strategic, coordinated initiatives like the Youth Career Pathways (YCP) program, we are breaking down systemic barriers that limit access for citizens and jobseekers alike. Our city-focused efforts and indirect services aim to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
At the heart of this endeavor is the Brooks Crossing Innovation & Opportunity Center (BCIOC), a beacon of resilience and adaptability. It has garnered enthusiastic support from leading local employers, including Huntington Ingalls, Canon of Virginia, Riverside Health Systems, Bay Electric, and Truist Bank. In addition, educational institutions such as Newport News Public Schools, Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton University, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, and Virginia Technical Academy play a pivotal role in this initiative.
These alliances exemplify a shared commitment to progressive workforce development and the economic empowerment of our youth aged 16 to 24. We invite collaborators to join us at BCIOC, amplifying programs that will make a lasting impact on Newport News’ generational advancement. This is a unique opportunity to dismantle equity barriers and cultivate a community enriched with digital literacy, skill training, and economic vitality.
Let’s work together to create a brighter future for Newport News. Join us in making a meaningful, lasting impact.
