The WIOA Youth Program serves youth ages 16-24 in the seven western counties of North Carolina. The goal of the program is to prepare youth for gainful employment in a competitive workforce.

The program includes the following elements:

• Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion including dropout prevention strategies
• Alternative secondary school offerings
• Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
• Paid and unpaid work experiences including internships and job shadowing
• Occupational skills training
• Leadership development opportunities including community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors
• Supportive services
• Adult mentoring for a duration of at least twelve months which may occur during and after program participation
• Follow-up services
• Comprehensive guidance and counseling including drug and alcohol abuse counseling as well as referrals to counseling as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth