The New Orleans Business Alliance, in partnership with the City’s Office of Workforce Development and the New Orleans Workforce Development Board announced a new program to connect 225 youth, ages 18-24, to in-demand jobs of the future and assistance to ensure they achieve financial stability. Two employment readiness providers – Operation Spark/Urban League of Louisiana and the Youth Empowerment Project – will connect Opportunity Youth to career pathways in software design, hospitality, customer service, and construction.
- Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) operates several programs that connect young people to education, training and employment. Under NOLABA’s Youth Demonstration Project, “YEP Works” provides 18-24 year-olds employment readiness training for 3 months in graphic design and customer service.
- Operation Spark prepares 18-24 year-olds for careers in software design with the potential of starting salaries of $60,000 with local employers such as DXC, GE, and Accruent. It is a 6 month training program Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
- Urban League provides 18-24 year-olds employment readiness training for 2 months in hospitality and construction.
Young people can be referred to any one of the above sites for intake.