YouthForce NOLA

YouthForce NOLA prepares New Orleans public school students for successful pursuit of high-wage, high-demand career pathways and facilitates systems change to accelerate and sustain progress.

YouthForce NOLA serves as the engine for career-connected learning so New Orleans public school students are ready for college, career, and the future they choose. We fuel a coordinated network of education, business, and community partners who, together, provide the career-connected learning experiences and practical resources young New Orleanians need to explore and confidently pursue a wide range of opportunities after high school.

Since 2015, YouthForce NOLA has proven to be a powerful force for change in young people's lives and for our community as a whole:
- 5,000- students are exposed to good-paying career options each year
- 1,400+ public school students have completed our Internship, earning $1.8M
- 3,200+ credentials earned in fields like carpentry, engineering, graphic design, IT, nursing, and software development
- 24,000+ hours contributed annually by professionals who engage with students to explore careers and gain work experience
- 97% of our alumni continue their education or obtain a job

We also support 96% of public high schools in New Orleans, engaged 250+ businesses to work with students, and generated $50M in public and private funding for our work.

Testimonials

"YouthForce NOLA internship opened up a lot for us and touched on things we most likely had no clue we will need in the real world, but leaving from this program gaining exposure, skills and experience before we even graduate will impact us so much and we'll know more than others who might not have been in this program." -2024 Intern

"She learned what she liked and didn't like regarding the workforce and how to handle some situations on her own. I have noticed a growth and a better understanding of the value of money and earning your own money." -Parent of 2024 Intern