Employment Resources - Western Mass. Young Adult Resource Guide

Department of Mental Health Young Adult Resource Guide - Employment Resources

Youthworks

YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults develop skills and experience needed to find and keep jobs. Participants take part in paid short-term work placements during the summer and/or school year at public, private, and nonprofit work sites. As part of the program, they receive training in core soft skills, practice professional behavior and learn how to work effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and customers at their work sites. They also learn how to take the next steps in their education and career pathways. [e-mail]

There is a 6-8-week YouthWorks summer program and a year-round program that runs from September to May, serving youth up to the age of 25! All YouthWorks programs use the Signal Success curriculum to help young people learn and practice the skills that matter at work, at school, and in life.

Learn more: https://commcorp.org/program/youthworks/ 

Contact: [e-mail]

Career Centers

Career Centers provide services for job seekers. These services include everything from assistance with searching for a job and career counseling, to holding workshops and job fairs. They are equipped with resources such as computers, reference materials, and unemployment insurance services.

To find a list of Career Centers in Massachusetts, refer to the link: https://www.mass.gov/masshire-career-centers

ONLINE JOB BANK https://www.mass.gov/how-to/find-a-job-with-masshire-jobquest  Call MassHire JobQuest Help Desk at [phone] or toll-free number at [phone] Available 8:30am - 4:30pm weekdays

MassHire Springfield Career Center

95 Liberty Street | Springfield, MA

• Phone: [phone],
• Fax: [phone],
• Email: [e-mail]
• Web: MassHireSpringfield.org
• https://masshirespringfield.org/become-a-member/    
• https://www.mass.gov/masshire-career-centers   

Way Finders

Way Finders works to strengthen housing stability and economic mobility, and to build thriving neighborhoods in communities throughout Western Massachusetts, including Hampden and Hampshire counties. We have developed targeted services that help people stay stably housed including building and managing affordable housing, employment support, and resident engagement. *This is not specific to the young adult population.

Learn more: https://www.wayfinders.org/ 

Phone: [phone], Monday through Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm

Email: [e-mail]

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

Vocational Rehabilitation, Statewide Head Injury Program, Home Care & Supported Living. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) helps people with physical, psychiatric, and learning disabilities find and keep a job. VR helps you identify job goals based on your interests and skills, and explore college and vocational training. It also reduces or removes barriers to employment. Priority is given to people who have the most severe disabilities in areas such as communication, mobility, work tolerance, and work skills. The VR Program is funded by the federal government and administered through the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC).

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-rehabilitation-commission

• 160 North St, Pittsfield, MA 01201 Phone: [phone]
• 243 Cottage St, Springfield, MA 01104 Phone: [phone]
• 101 Munson St suite 205, Greenfield, MA 01301 Phone: [phone]

Job Corps

Job Corps’ mission is to educate and train highly-motivated young people for successful careers in the nation’s fastest-growing industries. It is the nation’s largest career technical training and education program for young people ages 16 through 24. Students receive housing, meals, basic health care, a living allowance, training, and preparation for a career, all at no cost.

Learn more: https://westover.jobcorps.gov/ & https://masshirespringfield.org/jobcorps/

• 103 Johnson Rd, Chicopee, MA, 01022-1063
• (800) 733-JOBS
• [phone] (TTY)