Mission: ABCD Career Exploration programs were designed to offer older youth an opportunity to gain basic skills and explore career options in fields such as Health Professions, Facilities Maintenance, Financial Services, Building Trades, Multimedia/Videography, BioMedical, Early Child Care and Education, Technology and more. Participants learn basic skills utilized in the field, visit a variety of worksites to meet and talk with successful employees in the trades, and receive job placement and case management services.
ABCD Career Explorations serves as a comprehensive model for youth employment and the transition from school to career.
Youth participate in career exploration programs in Building Trades in collaboration with the Building Trades Training Directors Association; Health Professions; Appliance Repair; Early Childhood Education with ABCD HeadStart; Multimedia, Technology and Web Design in partnership with Verizon Communications; BioMedical in partnership with Boston University CityLab Academy and the Boston Redevelopment Authority. ABCD Career Explorations programs are designed, with support from the City of Boston’s Office of Jobs and Community Services under Workforce Investment Act funding, to offer older and out-of-school youth an opportunity to gain basic skills and explore career options within a particular field. Youth visit worksites and meet with professionals in the trades, while participating in paid internships. ABCD Career Explorations operates year-round providing job placement and case management services.
Case Management Component
ABCD Career Explorations has an intensive case management component with a ratio of one case manager per twenty students. Every student works with a case manager to navigate the program and plan a future beyond the six week experience. These case managers help the participants in the areas of employment and education, and refer them to support services. The support of the case manager enables young people to problem solve and address the situations and behaviors that have been barriers to their achievement in the past and to overcome these barriers.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The intake process for each cycle of the program varies depending on the requirements of the industry the youth will be exploring.
The intake and enrollment process for ABCD Career Explorations includes administration of an assessment test of basic skills, completion and submission of an intake form and all supporting documents required to demonstrate eligibility, and an interview for appropriateness to the program.
Eligibility requirements for the program are as follows: