NextGen(Youth) Workforce: Building Futures for Young Professionals Today

WorkSource Atlanta Regional's NextGen program provides year-round workforce training and education programs for people 16-24 years old who live in Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties. To qualify, participants must meet eligibility guidelines and face significant barriers to education and employment. The program is funded by the Atlanta Regional Workforce Development Board (WIOA) and delivered through contracted providers in each county. The Atlanta Regional Workforce Development Board (ARWDB) NextGen Committee oversees the NextGen Program. The committee brings expertise in youth policy, supporting the ARWDB in developing and recommending youth employment and training strategies.

NextGen Program Mission Statement

The mission of the NextGen Program is to ensure that every participant (youth and young adult) receives optimal quality employment and training services through evidence-based and integrated service delivery programs.

Contents of Page

1. Eligibility Requirements
2. Fourteen Elements of Service
3. NextGen Programs in Your County
4. Success Stories
5. Youth Grievance and Complaint Procedures

Eligibility Requirements

General Eligibility Determination Process

• Participants must be between the ages of 16-24
• WIOA School Status must be determined
• WIOA Target Population (Barriers to Education and Employment)

WIOA School Status Requirement

To be eligible to participate in WIOA activities, an individual shall, at the time of enrollment (when eligibility determination is made), be an out-of-school youth (OSY) or in-school youth (ISY).

Out-of-school Youth (OSY) - Individual NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL, defined by State law.

• Compulsory school age but not attending 
• Received High School Diploma or GED
• High School Dropout 
• Received Post-secondary diploma 

In-School – Secondary education and Post Secondary education, and High school equivalency programs NOT Providers of adult education under Title II of WIOA: YouthBuild or Job Corps

WIOA Target Population (Barriers to Education/Employment)

• Offender
• Homeless or Runaway
• Pregnant or Parenting
• Foster Care or Aged out of Foster Care
• Out-of-Home Displacement
• Compulsory school age, but not attending 
• High School Dropout
• Disabled
• Requires Additional Assistance
• High School Diploma/GED recipient that is Low-income and Basic Skill Deficient (BSD) or an English Language Learner

Fourteen Elements of Service

1. Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Instruction, and Dropout Prevention
2. Alternative Secondary School and Dropout Recovery Services
3. Paid and Unpaid Work Experience
4. Occupational Skills Training
5. Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation
6. Leadership Development Opportunities
7. Supportive Services
8. Adult Mentoring
9. Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling
10. Financial Literacy Education
11. Entrepreneurial Skills Training
12. Labor Market and Employment Information Services
13. Postsecondary Preparation and Transition Activities
14. Follow-up Services

NextGen Programs in Your County

To find other Career Resource Center's in the Metro Atlanta area, visit WORKSOURCE METROATL

To find WorkSource programs in Georgia, visit The Technical College System of Georgia's Office Workforce Development

Success Stories

To view the Success stories of individuals who have completed the program, click the link below.

https://atlworks.org/find-career-training/success-stories/

Youth Grievance and Complaint Procedures

If you believe you have been harmed by a violation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or regulations of this program, you have the right to file a grievance/complaint as well as request information and assistance with filing a complaint.

Youth Grievance Procedures

For more information about NextGen, send an email to: workforce@atlantaregional.org.