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LAYC's Workforce Investment offers a holistic program of job skills and life skills training, job placement services, GED preparation, and support services for out-of-school youth ages 16-24. Job Readiness ClassesOur 12-week curriculum covers:
Career Exploration WorkshopsWorking professionals from a variety of industries, including retail, hospitality, finance, health care, and construction, give lectures and lead workshops with WISE participants. These guest instructors discuss career paths within their industries, share professional advice and insights, and provide instruction in specific skill areas such as customer service and personal financial management. In this way students gain “real world” knowledge directly from employers. GED Preparation ClassesWISE youth without a high school diploma will have the opportunity to take GED and pre-GED classes to prepare them for taking the “General Educational Development” exam. These classes focus on writing, literature/ reading, social studies, science, and math. We also offer academic tutoring. Case ManagementWe provide case management for youth to ensure successful completion of the WISE program. Case managers assist students with matters ranging from housing assistance, transportation, child care referrals, and more. Case managers also interact with students on a daily basis to ensure students are moving forward with stated goals. Job PlacementOnce participants complete the 12-week core curriculum, they work with the WISE Job Developer to obtain a job, internship, or apprenticeship. If a participant wishes to continue with school, the Job Placement Specialist will help him or her identify and apply to college. It is our goal for all WISE students to continue with their education and career development after receiving their GED and Job Readiness Training. Many of our graduates have gone on to enroll in universities, community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs. The overwhelming feedback from these students is that their time at WISE prepared them for the demands of higher education and the professional world. Many students come to WISE with obstacles that can impede their progress toward their GED, problems we seek to address through case management and career counseling, services that can also be continued after completion of the program. Ultimately the success of our students is self-determined, and with the right support, no goal is unattainable. Contact InformationFor more information or to enroll:
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WISE is led by Ms. Nakia Lynch. Ms. Lynch has seven years of experience working in youth development and adult education. Before becoming director of LAYC's Washington, DC workforce division, known as Workforce Investment and Social Enterprise (W.I.S.E), Ms. Lynch served as a Job Readiness Instructor for WISE and Program Coordinator for LAYC's Summer Youth Employment and DOES-In-School programs. She has experience in after-school programming as a Youth Coordinator working with middle school youth for a non-profit organization in Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Lynch has taught and developed lessons focused on academic enrichment, GED preparation, basic adult literacy and employability skills for youth and adults. She has an M.Ed. in Adult Learning from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan, and a Bachelor's of Science in Speech Communication and Media Studies from Radford University in Radford, Virginia.
