US Department of Labor announces $15M funding availability to help youth, young adults prepare for college, career success

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $15 million in grant funding to support programs that help youth – particularly those in rural areas, people of color and people with disabilities – to overcome obstacles to educational and workforce success with training and career guidance.   

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, Workforce Pathways For Youth     grants will support connections between out-of-school time organizations and state and local workforce partners to deliver career-focused programs to equip teens and young adults with the skills they need to succeed in college or in the workforce.

These grants align with the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to creating opportunities and connecting people to good jobs. They are also part of the department’s Youth Employment Works Strategy announced on March 9, 2023, to expand access to programs that prepare all young people for good careers.

The department will award $15 million in eight grants in varied amounts of up to $2 million each. Projects serving young people in marginalized communities will be given priority. Specifically, the grants will support organization that offer the following types of activities:

• Career exploration services.
• Work readiness.
• Career counseling.
• On the job experience, including internships, seasonal and year-round employment, pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships.
• Youth placement services for employment, education or training.

Learn more about this funding opportunity.

Learn more about the Employment and Training Administration.