Pacific Gateway's New Youth Model

A New WIOA Youth Model

In 2018, Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network announced the development of a new model for the administration of Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds in Long Beach and Signal Hill.  This new model aims to engage a wide group of passionate adults in helping our community’s young adults thrive.  Research and evidence-based programs have long demonstrated that having a connection to a healthy adult mentor can often be the single most-important factor in a young person’s success.

Pacific Gateway will recruit business owners, community-based organizations, community leaders, and others to serve as Advisors.  Pacific Gateway will develop a deep catalogue of career-focused activities, and these Advisors will help the young adult select the best options for them, and organize them into a six-month plan.  The goal of this work is to help the young adult build their skills, access an expansive network of professionals, and complete the program in a good job or career pathway.          

In this new model, individuals and organizations can become Advisors and/or Skills Builders.   Advisors are individuals who work closely with a young person or cohort of youth.  Skills Builders are organizations or independent contractors who offer workshops, classes, experiences and other activities in a number of categories. 

What is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)?

WIOA is the federal legislation that directs how local communities administer public workforce funding.  WIOA funds support programs and services for adults who are unemployed, adults who have been recently laid-off (also known as dislocated workers), and youth.  WIOA funds for youth are generally directed at serving young people ages 14-24 who have left school without graduating, or who are not connected to school, college, or work.  WIOA funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), and distributed through the State of California into more than 40 regions in the state.   

WIOA sets five program goals for youth.  Within six months after completing a program, WIOA youth must be in one of the following:  in a meaningful, career-oriented job; in the US Military; in an apprenticeship program; fully enrolled in college; or in additional vocational training. 

 

 

About Advisors

About Skills Builders

What makes a good Advisor?

An Advisor can be an independent person or a be part of a non-profit/community-based organization.  An Advisor should:

  • Have a strong professional network they can connect a young adult to.  This might be co-workers, friends, or others who are working in various industries.  Exposing a young person to a network of supportive working adults is a core goal of the program;
  • Have a strong passion for helping young people.  Advisors should have experience volunteering with young people, and a commitment to helping youth become health, productive adults; 
  • Have a clear lens to youth development.  This might include an interest or experience in higher-education, a spiritual framework, knowledge about a specific industry, a social justice perspective, or other overarching frame to their mentorship;
  • Be able to dedicate at least five hours per week in supporting a young person, or cohort of youth. 
  • Be able to pass a background check, have insurance, and a Long Beach business license.  (Pacific Gateway can walk Advisors through the licensing and insurance processes).       

What is the role of an Advisor?

Advisors help youth complete a whole host of activities and advance along a program model.  Their work together begins with an introduction.  Advisors then help youth identify a goal, and together, help them select six-months of activities from Pacific Gateway offerings.  Once the plan is set, Advisors help youth complete these activities, and meet with them before or after to set them up for success.  Advisors will add other activities of their own, which could include introductions to other professionals, internship experiences, career discussions over coffee, college visits, etc.  Advisor’s main goal is to help youth follow through with activities and support them.  

How are Advisors and youth connected to one another?

Youth are presented to a list of available Advisors, and they select the right Advisor for them.  Alternatively, Advisors who are already connected to youth can bring those young people into the program and continue to work with them as a cohort. 

Are Advisors paid?

Advisors earn $1,800 over six months for active mentorship.  This requires regular contact and support, and data collection of activities and outcomes.    An additional ‘bonus’ payment of $500 can be earned if the young adult has met their goals six months after they exit the program.

 

Register to receive the Advisor Application and Information.  You’ll be invited to an information and application session.

Is your organization an expert in an area important to the development of young adults in the Long Beach area?  Sign  up to receive the formal request for services by indicating all of the areas where you have something to offer.  In order  to be considered, you or your organization must have experience in having delivered this content for a minimum of two  years. These services could be offered at the Pacific Gateway youth center, or at your organization’s facility. 

 

Examples:

Work readiness 

Workshops, classes or online content designed to help youth and young adults prepare for the workforce, including  problem-solving, customer service, resume development, business attire, and other areas.

Life Skills

Workshops, classes or online content that covers the skills needed to be a productive adult.  This includes topics such  as parenting, budgeting, conflict resolution, positive habit formation, and relationship building. Leadership Development

Workshops, classes, and other experiences that help youth and new adults develop leadership skills, feel empowered,  increase their civic participation, and community involvement. 

Financial Literacy 

Workshops, classes, and other modalities that build youth and new adults’ understanding of credit, establish positive  credit history, repair credit problems, and 

Career Exploration

Workshops, classes, online content and other experiences that help youth and new adults explore career options,  understand the local labor market, and develop long-term career plans.


Skills Building activities are paid according to their proposed rates.


Register to receive the Skills Builder Application and Information.  You’ll be invited to an information and application session.