Poster #74 - Engaging Futures: How Workforce Development Fosters Meaningful Participation and Success for Disconnected Youth

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

Over 4.3 million young people are considered disconnected youth, also known as opportunity youth, who are individuals aged 16 to 24 who are neither enrolled in school nor employed—equating to nearly 11% of the population. Disconnected youth often face significant challenges that can have long-term consequences for their well-being and success such as higher levels of unemployment and poverty, involvement in the criminal justice system, mental health challenges, and weakened social and emotional skills. This study examines how at-risk and systems-impacted youth who participate in workforce development training, compared to those provided traditional community-based programming, are more likely to develop skills that lead to lasting positive life outcomes. Opportunities to learn essential life skills that support individual personal and career goals promote meaningful participation and cultivate prosocial behaviors. AMIkids youth who participated in workforce development training showed improved school engagement and future outlooks on their educational and career goals, which supported higher job and post-secondary education placement rates. Findings highlight the importance of incorporating workforce development and life skills training in schools, which utilize key elements of positive youth development that play a crucial role in a youth’s long-term success and decrease the likelihood of negative outcomes.

Authors

• Alicia Melendi, AMIkids, Inc.

• Jessica Nicole Mitchell, AMIkids, Inc.

• Marko Bicanic, AMIkids, Inc.