In conjunction with community training and business partners, the Boys & Girls Club (B&GC) of Athens has opened the YouthForce Innovation Hub at the Georgia Square Mall, creating an opportunity for area youth to develop workforce skills and their career path. 

Funded in part by Zach McLeroy, the chairman and founder of Zaxby’s, the YouthForce Innovation Hub offers much-needed, high-impact workforce development programming for young people 12 and older in the area. Youthforce programs focus on building employability skills, providing mentorship, teaching financial literacy, and guiding youth to a wide variety of careers and postsecondary education opportunities.

“This is an excellent opportunity to help young people in our community grow the skills they’ll need to succeed in the workforce,” McLeroy said. “YouthForce is going to give a lot of kids exposure to a future they can be excited about.”

YouthForce will not only benefit students, but also local employers who are seeking workers. Middle school students can start with a work-ready program, which progresses into job and career readiness programs in high school.

“The No. 1 need we hear from our local business community is they need workers with strong “soft skills” like customer service, reliability and collaboration,” said B&GC of Athens Vice President of Development Sterling Gardner. “And the No. 1 thing we hear from our teen members on what they want from us is help figuring out a career path and, ultimately, securing a great job and a great future.

“So we’re very excited about offering the YouthForce program, as it can help both those we serve and our community and economy.”  

YouthForce will build on the foundation of support B&GC of Athens already provides with three sequential, targeted programs:

• Work Ready: Designed to support middle schoolers, this program consists of four key programs that build a strong foundation for success. Programs focus on career planning and exploration, financial literacy and employability skills. Additionally, the program offers a series of opportunities, including financial seminars, job and health fairs, and trips to technical colleges for parents and guardians.

• Job Ready: For younger high school students, this program provides hands-on career experiences and sessions that focus on building job preparation, including job searches and applications, resume building and interview skills. Club members also participate in hands-on, introductory career experiences at the Community Career Academy technical labs and work their first job at the B&GC Athens Summer Camp.

• Career Ready: Working-aged youth are referred to job opportunities at BG&C’s community partners through the Pipeline Partners Employment Program. Members can map the path to postsecondary education that best suits their needs – should they choose a technical career path, they can also get help applying to technical college. Additional workforce development programs that offer career-specific training are also available.

For more information about the YouthForce Innovation Hub, visit www.greatfutureathens.com.