WORK READY PROGRAm
Application Deadline: April 20, 2025
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Given program capacity limitations, we have reached the maximum number of participants we can accept for our Spring 2025 enrollment. We anticipate reopening the application portal for the Fall cohort by late Summer.
Atlanta GLOW's workforce development and education program is a comprehensive youth employment initiative serving in-and out-of-school youth, ages 16-25, who face barriers to education, training, and employment. Our program will help participants overcome barriers to employment and make the connection between education and work. Youth will participate in 4 weeks of paid, entry-level work readiness and soft skills training, 8 weeks of paid, career exploration and technical skills training paired with up to 6 months of career mentoring, credentialing and post-program job placement assistance.
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Program Eligibility
Please visit our Program Eligibility page for the criteria required for participation in Atlanta GLOW's programs. Additionally, this program has a minimum age requirement of 16 years.
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Download Parental Consent Form - English
Download Parental Consent Form - Espanol
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Program Dates
Phase I of the program will be hosted from May 6 – 31, virtually from on Tuesdays (4:00 pm - 6:00 pm) and in person on Saturdays (11 am - 1:00 pm) for a total of 4 hours of weekly youth engagement over the 4-week program (16 hours total). Youth must successfully complete Phase I of the program in order to progress to Phase II.
Phase II of the program will be hosted from June 3 – July 26 virtually on Tuesdays (4:00 pm - 6:00 pm) and in person on Saturdays (10 am - 2:00 pm), with a flexible schedule of up to an additional 4 hours of remote, project-based work for a total of 10 hours of weekly youth engagement over the 8-week program (80 hours total).
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Work Readiness and Soft Skills Training (Phase I)
Participating youth will initially receive 4 weeks of basic job skills training utilizing the Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success curriculum, a program developed by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy that focuses on teaching “soft” or workforce readiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities. The basic structure of the program is comprised of modular, hands-on, engaging activities that focus on six key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism.
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Career Exploration and Technical Skills Training (Phase II)
To facilitate career exploration, Atlanta GLOW partners with local businesses and organizations that have an interest in facilitating mentorship and training opportunities via weekly industry spotlights in a variety of high-demand fields such as healthcare, technology, hospitality, public service, construction, business, manufacturing, logistics and more. During this time, Atlanta GLOW will provide additional group-based core instruction, personalized career mentoring, job search and interview support, job shadowing and supplemental training structured to promote the development of technical skills that can be transferred to a variety of high-demand industries.
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Credentialing
Partnerships with Metrix Learning and CareerCircle allow us to leverage various upskilling and credentialing opportunities as a major component of getting youth career ready in a variety of industries in tandem with the technical training they’ll be receiving. Youth will be able to earn OSHA, ANAB, Microsoft and Google-backed certifications in areas such as construction and workplace safety, food handling/safety, project management, digital marketing, data analytics, IT support, e-commerce, and UX design.
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Program Location
The weekly Tuesday sessions of our program are hosted virtually via Zoom. The weekly Saturday sessions are hosted in person at our Mentoring Cafe near the Cumberland/The Battery and Truist Park area.
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Program Format
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4 Weeks of Job Training (2 Sessions/Week)
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​8 Weeks of Career Exploration, Credentialing and Technical Skills Training (2 Sessions/Week plus additional 4 Hours/Week)
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Limited transportation assistance and complimentary refreshments will be provided for all in-person sessions.
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The required technology, training and work-related supplies will be provided for all on-site activities.
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Youth will receive ongoing career mentoring and job placement assistance as they complete their training and credentialing.
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Participants who successfully complete Phase I of the 4-week program will have the opportunity to earn up to $300 in Earn and Learn cash incentives upon program completion. Participants who successfully complete Phase II of the 8-week program will have the opportunity to earn up to $700 in Earn and Learn cash incentives upon program completion. There is the potential to earn up to $1,000 for completion of the entire 12-week program (contingent upon adherence with attendance and engagement requirements).
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To become eligible for the stipend, participants must attend the first Saturday session and may miss no more than two sessions in Phase I, and no more than three sessions in Phase II.
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Note: Starting July 1, 2024, we have enforced an updated stipend policy limiting the number of times an individual can receive a stipend for a single program to a maximum of two times per program.
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Onboarding Process
Upon receipt of a program application, we require applicants to attend a virtual orientation and complete a 30-minute MBTI Careers assessment. Both steps are required in order to be admitted to the program.