Future Skills Institutes provides work-readiness, job search, and career exploration assistance to anyone between the ages of 16-24. In addition to our walk-in services, FSI implements several youth-employment and development programs with specific eligibility requirements.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Development Program

FSI, in partnership with Wayside Youth & Family Services, South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), Employment & Training Resources (ETR), and the Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest (BGCMW), implements the WIA-funded Youth Development program in Framingham.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth programs provide employment and training activities for economically disadvantaged youth ages 14 to 21 who face significant barriers to employment. The program focus is on supporting youth through the development and provision of a comprehensive system of youth services which can be grouped around four major themes:

Improving educational achievement (including such elements as tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion; dropout prevention strategies, and alternative secondary school offerings)

Preparing for and succeeding in employment (including summer employment opportunities, paid and unpaid work experience, and occupational skills training)

Supportive services (including adult mentoring, follow-up services, and comprehensive guidance and counseling)

Opportunities to develop the potential of youth as citizens and leaders (including leadership development, community service etc).

The WIA program is funded by the US Department of Labor through a grant awarded by the Metro South/West Regional Employment Board (MSWREB).

Bridging the Opportunity Gap (BOG)

The purpose of the Bridging the Opportunity Gap (BOG) initiative is to develop and implement effective career readiness and employability training that provide “bridges” to employment for youth in the custody of the Division of Youth Services (DYS). FSI, in partnership with the local DYS community reentry center and the DYS Girls Independent Living Program (GILP), serves youth who are transitioning from DYS facilities back to their home community. FSI provides program participants with career exploration and work-readiness services, assists them in identifying, enrolling in and paying for training and certification programs, and facilitates job and/or internship opportunities.

The BOG program is funded through the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) and Commonwealth Corporation.

Youth Works

For the second year, FSI is implementing YouthWorks, a state-funded youth jobs program, which prepares low-income, at-risk youth for work and places them in subsidized internships. Participants receive job-readiness training and explore career interests before starting at internships at area businesses, non-profit and public sector organizations. YouthWorks participants are typically employed up to 30 hours per week from 6 to 10 weeks during the summer.

Through helping to prepare and support young people in jobs and internships, the YouthWorks program aims to address the problem of youth joblessness in Massachusetts. Unemployment among young people is at historically high levels both in the Commonwealth and across the country.

This summer, FSI has trained and placed 31 youth between the ages of 16-21. Internship placements include: prep chef at a local health food restaurant, website developer at a local social service organization, activities assistant at the Parks and Recreation summer programs, and production assistants at Framingham’s public access television station.

The YouthWorks program is open to any youth between the ages of 14–21 whose family income for the most recent six-month period does not exceed the annual equivalent of 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and who are placed at risk by one or more risk factors.