Employment Training

The Office on Youth fills the role of a “youth employment agency” in helping to prepare youth for the workforce by providing employment readiness training, on-site work experience and assistance in securing employment opportunities through the following programs:

Are you a youth age 14 – 18 that is looking for a job after school and in the summer?

Youth Corps is a pre-employment training program designed to give younger youth (ages 14-16), in need of positive role models, valuable job training in community workplace settings. Youth work 6-8 hours per week and earn $4.25 per hour. Youth are placed at various job sites that pair up to the youth’s interest areas in the City of Staunton, City of Waynesboro and Augusta County area. Youth Corps has three sessions. The fall and spring sessions are 12 weeks and the summer session is 8 weeks.

In addition to the job placement, pre-employment training sessions such as resume writing, interview skills, communication skills, goal setting, and visits to the Virginia Employment Commission are provided. Youth may also be required to participate in group community service projects one day a week.

To apply to participate in the Youth Corps Program download the Pre-Employment Training Application, complete, and return as indicated.

Click here to download a Youth Corps Brochure.

Are you a youth age 14 - 17 who wants a job this summer?

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides employment training and work experience primarily during the summer to students ages 14 - 17 residing in the City of Staunton, City of Waynesboro, and Augusta County. SYEP places area students with local businesses and organizations throughout the area to gain valuable job experience and to provide needed experience to their resume. In addition, follow-up services such as tutoring, mentorships, continuing job opportunities, and other pre-employment activities are also provided throughout the year.

In order to be eligible for participation in the program, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:
1)  all within specified income guidelines,
2)  receive government assistance,
3)  have an Individualized Education Plan, or
4) be in foster care.

Are you a youth who no longer attends school?  Who needs a job?  Who wants to earn their GED?

The Out-of-School Youth Employment Program assists young people, 16 – 21 years of age who are no longer in school, in securing meaningful permanent employment and/or obtaining their GED. The program is offered to youth who reside in Augusta, Bath, Highland and Rockbridge Counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Lexington, Staunton, and Waynesboro.

In order to be eligible for participation in the program, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:
1)  disabled (have an IEP on file, for example)
2)  economically disadvantaged (according to Federal Guidelines)
3)  part of a family receiving public assistance
4)  foster children
5)  homeless
6)  others, please call to see if you might qualify

Click here to download the Out-of-School brochure.

The Out-Of-School Youth Employment program is administered through the local Workforce Investment Board with funding from the Workforce Investment Act.