Youth Workforce: Internships and Apprenticeships
Enhancing Early Career Opportunities for Youth
The Youth Workforce initiative funds collaborative approaches to streamlining the transition from school to career for young adults aged 16-26. These internships give young adults the skills, training and support to:
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Be successful in the workplace
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Grow a current career sector
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Earn and learn while building their social and professional network, particularly for youth who do not normally have access to paid internships ​
About the Initiative
Learning while working is vital for students to succeed after they complete a degree or receive a credential. Work-based learning experiences help students learn new skills, build networks, and gain clarity on their future goals. Evidence has shown that holding an internship can increase academic performance, confidence in career-planning decisions, employability, and career satisfaction.
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Paid internships stand out for their ability to yield significant benefits. Participants of paid internships often receive more job offers and command higher starting salaries compared to their peers in unpaid positions. A 2022 study highlighted that paid interns had a median starting salary of $62,500, significantly higher than the $42,500 reported by unpaid interns, indicating a substantial financial advantage over the course of a career.
2024 Youth Workforce Profiles
Click on an image to see how our grantees are already changing lives.
Comprehensive List of Grantees