Youth Services

In partnership with Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Public Schools, and local employers, the Boston Private Industry Council develops jobs and internships and provides career awareness activities for high school students. For four decades, Boston has led the nation in our commitment to private-sector employment for teenagers.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s MassHire Department of Career Services provides oversight of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program. The WIOA Youth Program is federally funded. The MassHire Department of Career Services allocates WIOA Title I Youth funds to Massachusetts’ 16 workforce areas based on procedures defined by the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act.

YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults develop the skills and experience needed to find and keep jobs. Participants take part in paid short-term work placements during the summer and/or school year at public, private, and nonprofit work sites. As part of the program, they receive training in core soft skills, practice professional behavior and learn how to work effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and customers at their worksites.