YOUTH SERVICES

Despite recent cuts in federal funding, MAWIB remains committed to the proven value of its subsidized employment program for youth. Program activities include career development, educational attainment and subsidized summer/year-round employment.

The intent of this program is to select a diverse cross-section of employers who will provide meaningful career and employment opportunities for youth within Milwaukee County. The selected employers will be expected to provide work-based learning experiences for youth that incorporate the priorities of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), specifically the ten program elements described below.

MAWIB YOUTH DESIGN FRAMEWORK

The MAWIB ’s youth programs are a comprehensive plan to provide Milwaukee County’s disadvantaged youth with the training and skills necessary to make a successful transition from school to work. The programs also assist out-of-school youth with both education and training options that will help them achieve their goals.

The programs are designed to address the needs of low-income youth ages 14-21 who may or may not be currently enrolled in high school, graduated from high school or received their GED, but remain unemployed, underemployed or basic skills deficient. Program services will provide these youth access to support services and opportunities which are mandated under WIA legislation as the “Ten Program Elements.” The ten program elements and a brief description of each one are listed in Program Goals and Performance Measures.

All MAWIB youth registered participants are assigned a youth worker to ensure that growth and development have a positive outlet. Youth workers help participants create a career plan that is holistic and fosters personal growth and development. Additionally, counselors assist youth in their preparations to identify and secure opportunities for work-based learning experiences. Through work-based learning, youth have an opportunity to gain productive employment that is nurturing to their personal and career development.

WORK BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES

The MAWIB will select and fund work sites that integrate work and learning. Work-based learning will be demonstrated by youth learning a variety of skills that include, but are not limited to, basic academic skills such as reading, writing, math, and critical thinking; work maturity skills such as punctuality, communication, teamwork and leadership; and job-specific skills. Through partnerships with government agencies, private sector employers, qualified schools districts, community-based organizations, non-profit organizations and other institutions, youth workers will guide and provide youth with a range of employment opportunities in many different fields at varying levels
of career exposure and work closely with employers to ensure that the
work-based learning experience is productive and falls in line with youths career track.

Proposals submitted must describe the type of work to be done, the timeline and the skills youth will learn through planning and implementing the project. A job description for each distinct position must be submitted with your proposal. Each job description must contain the following: number of positions, worksite location(s), access to public transportation, pay level, work schedule and job duties, qualifications and working conditions of the position.

PROGRAM GOALS & PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The program goals for the MAWIB youth programs are as follows:

• To provide well supervised and substantive year-round and/or summer work-based learning experience in government and non-profit employment sectors.
• To offer structured, well-supervised and substantive year-round and summer work-based learning experience in the following private sector employment sectors:
  
  • Health Care
  • IT Fields
  • Telecommunications
  • Construction/Building Trades
  • Printing
  • Manufacturing
  • Environmental Reclamation
    
• Career planning to include assessment and exploration of
  vocational interests.
• Retention programs designed to encourage and support “at-risk” youth in their efforts to return to school or remain in school until completion.
• Work experience that provides training and support services for youth with special needs.
• Opportunities that may lead to part-time and full-time unsubsidized employment for youth.

The success of participants in the MAWIB’s youth programs are determined by the following indicators of performance:

• Attainment of basic skills, work readiness or occupational skills
• Attainment of secondary school diplomas or their recognized equivalents (e.g. HSED and GED)
• Placement and retention in post-secondary education; advancement training, and military service; employment or qualified apprenticeships.

Youth work 20hrs/wk or more in summer and 10 hrs/wk during the school year. Annually the Request for Proposals opens at the first of the year. Proposals are due in mid-February.

We invite you to sign up for our email mailing list. We will notify of upcoming requests for proposals.

Request for Proposals

Closed at this time.