The Youth Connection Career Academies

The Youth Connection Career Academies (TYCCA) is a program designed to expose, engage, and train metropolitan Detroit youth and young adults ages 14-24 for careers and continuing education. TYCCA provides opportunities to learn about a variety of careers through its partnerships. This program is a terrific way for individuals to understand the real world of careers and it encourages continuing education and positive behavior amongst youth while promoting civic commitment and giving back to the community.

The Youth Connection Career Academies program provides youth and young adults an opportunity to understand the duties and tasks necessary for success in various careers through Career Pathways and Internships. These components include: 1) Work Readiness & Life Skills Training; 2) Entry-Level Certification Training & Credentialing; and 3) Paid & Unpaid Work Experiences where youth learn from highly skilled supervisors and mentors in variety of fields. This experience provides a distinct advantage because participants will be guided to successfully master new job skills through job shadowing, volunteer and community service to experience real world work conditions, such as policies, project deadlines, business attire and workplace etiquette. Students learn 21^st Century skills necessary for today’s workforce including but not limited to flexibility and adaptability, leadership, time-management, the capacity to communicate, team work, collaboration and creativity.

Career Pathways

The Youth Connection Career Pathways component offers hands-on learning, academic enrichment, and training, job shadowing and volunteer opportunities for youth. Additionally, this component offers a variety of life-skills and occupational training and workshops for youth. Youth are provided an opportunity to gain exposure to careers. Participants will participate in numerous activities such as career related focus trips, community service projects, workshops/trainings, and academic remediation. Workshops and trainings vary and include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Work Readiness (i.e. goals setting, interviewing skills/workplace attire, portfolios, etc.); 2) Life Skills (i.e. financial literacy, time-management, community service, etc.); 3) Entry-Level Certification Training & Credentialing; and 4) Basic Skills/Academic Remediation (i.e. reading and math tutoring, etc.).

TYCCA will provide training opportunities for program participants to earn industry and/or nationally recognized certifications and credentials. TYCCA partners with numerous community organizations and business employers to provide participants with a paid work experience in their field of interest and related to the certifications/credentials they’ve earned. TYCCA provides a paid internship for youth and young adults ages 14 – 24 interested in a variety of careers including, but not limited to, customer service, natural resources/outdoor environment, culinary arts, and healthcare. During an internship, youth have the opportunity to explore in greater depth the expectations and skills necessary to succeed by participating in hands on training and exercises related to their career path. After successful completion of the subsidized work experience, participants are expected to be recruited by the employer for unsubsidized, employment opportunities that they qualify for and may be available.

I'm interested in Career Pathways, how do I know if I'm eligible?

There are several factors considered to determine if you’re eligible and if the program is a good fit for you. During the pre-registration and intake process, you will answer a series of questions and provide several pieces of documentation to determine your eligibility and suitability. Below are the minimum eligibility requirements.

• Be a US Citizen
• Be a Detroit Resident
• Be between the Ages of 14-24
• Submit State ID, Driver’s License or School ID (High School Students Only)
• Submit Birth Certificate & Social Security Card
• Submit Proof of School Status (Report Card, Diploma/GED, etc.)
• Submit Proof of Income (if applicable)
• Parent/Guardian must provide consent (if under 18)
• Register for Selective Service (if applicable)
• Have a need for employment or educational assistance
• Submit additional information as requested for eligibility and enrollment

For more information, please complete the INTEREST FORM.

Services May Be Available for Youth Aged Out of Foster Care

In addition to the other services TYCCA provides, youth ages 18-22 who have aged out of the foster care system may also be able to access Youth in Transition (YIT) Closed Case Services through our Resource for Independent Skills Enhancement (R.I.S.E.) Program. If eligible, youth may access these services until their 23rd birthday. Eligibility must be determined for each youth regarding which services they are eligible to receive. Services vary by participant and may include assistance with transportation, housing, educational supports and much more! TYCCA only services youth with cases managed by Wayne County MDHHS. If you're interested in determining your eligibility, please click HERE. 

TYCCA is partially funded by the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Wayne County Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS).

To see more highlights of our youth in our program, please feel free to visit our gallery.