Engaging Employers for YouthBuild Opportunity Youth

1. Engaging Employers for YouthBuild Opportunity Youth Presenters: Meia Johnson, DOL Program Director & Executive Director: Rossie Johnson Antelope Valley YouthBuild

2. Engaging Employers: Overview Antelope Valley YouthBuild (AVYB) uses a range of strategies for engaging employers: • AVYB staff play an integral role in employer partnerships • Partner with local cities & working on affordable housing projects provides an opportunity to demonstrate work ethic • Introductory meetings with employers and campus tours to showcase young people in action • Establish a sector-based focus to create viable career paths • Encourage YB alum, board and committees to involve employers deeply in AVYB’s work

3. Staff Role: Engaging Employers Staff are involved with young people in varying ways, each having unique experiences to share. • All staff are responsible for placing students • Staff must be familiar with ALL aspects of the program • Staff are encouraged to talk with community partners and stakeholders about program • Staff can discuss the program in short 30-sec sound-bites • Staff highlight the skills and challenges of AVYB program participants • Staff assist students with placement goals

4. Showcase Your Program: Engaging Employers • Introductory meetings with key • HR representatives. Then, invite employers to YB • Campus to show the young people in action • Schedule introductory meetings w/employers emee • Provide colorful materials with lots of action • oriented photographs • Invite employers to visit your YB campus during a time with lots of activity, Policy Committee leads campus tour or have YB participants highlight key aspects of your program • Wrap-up with a Q&A meeting • The Ask – How many jobs can we count on you for?

5. Public Partnerships: Engaging Employers • Partnership with local cities on community service & construction projects allows participants to demonstrate work ethic • Arrange an introductory meeting with city officials • Familiarize yourself with City projects and special initiatives • Identify key representatives from community & workforce development • Discuss partnership opportunities & bring materials about YB program • Bring an alumni member to talk about your program • Ask about workforce development programs/openings/internships • Program participants with community service • & affordable housing construction projects • Offer to hold career fair at a city venue • Prep YB applicants to apply for City jobs

6. Sector-Based Partnerships: Engaging Employers • Sector-based partnerships emphasize the importance of creating viable career paths • YB opportunity youth have a shot at competing for good jobs • Employers see YB applicants as experienced candidates • Identify local employers based on your YB program does workforce development • Set up introductory meetings. Highlight your programs’ training methods, certifications and hands-on activities • Prep YB applicants for applying for sector jobs • Update resumes to reflect skills based on sector jobs • Familiarize yourself with job requirements • Assist with job applications • Mock Interviews • Follow-Up with the employers regarding YB applicant status

7. Alumni & Board Members as Spokespersons: Engaging Employers • Work with YB alum and board members to network with potential employers • Encourage YB program alum to network with employers • Equip alum with 30-second sound-bites and brochures • Ask board members about their corporate contacts • Ask board members to be references • Familiarize yourself with key networks • Offer to conduct presentations at meetings

8. Presenter Contact Information • Presenter Name: Meia Johnsonmjohnson@avyouthbuild.com • Presenter Name: Rossie Johnsonrjohnson@avyouthbuild.com