Youth from underrepresented communities often experience unique challenges to participating in workforce training programs. Unidos’ workforce development program builds upon and continues the Career Bound initiative, developed by McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (M.E.D.P.), to provide career readiness training for youth with limited or no work experience, focusing on pathways to viable income career paths.
As part of Unidos Bridging Community, the Level Up program is designed to align with Latinx culture and family dynamics, recognizing that many of our participants come from Latinx backgrounds. Our goal is to increase Latinx youth participation and ensure representation that reflects the broader population in workforce development initiatives, including job training, internships, educational courses, and apprenticeship programs.
Level Up promotes intergenerational wealth-building while ensuring equitable participation in economic development initiatives that center on underrepresented youth in Yamhill County. It creates pathways to viable careers for youth ages 14-24 by providing essential employability skills training and coaching. The program requires participation in a series of afternoon workshops once a week for approximately 10 weeks. Essential employability skills include: communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, professionalism, teamwork, networking, and interviewing. Additionally, participants will be introduced to local employers. If a match is made, they will engage in a part-time internship. If the participant is a student, the internship will take place outside of school responsibilities. Level Up provides a wage subsidy for local employers hosting interns to offset the opportunity loss absorbed due to hiring, training, and supporting our emerging workforce. Youth participants have access to wraparound support funds per participant to remove barriers to program participation and internship completion.
By the end of their work experience and training, youth participants will have gained meaningful experiences and started building their local professional network, enabling them to navigate economic and career opportunities more independently to maximize their economic mobility.
Summer 2025 Cohort Orientation Date: Thursday, July 17th at 6 pm.
Weekly Workshops will be held Thursday’s 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in McMinnville.
- Registration:
- https://forms.gle/eAvTuxGeXg6C53fAA
- Registration deadline: July 24th, 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and earlier submissions will be given priority consideration.
Applications for future cohorts open approximately a month before the start date.
Future Cohorts:
Fall 2025
- Start Date: Sept. 25th
- Location: TBD
- Duration: 11 weeks
Spring 2026
- Start Date: Feb. 5th
- Location: TBD
- Duration: 11 weeks
Please call or text us at (503) 272-1104 or Salma@unidosyamhillcounty.org for more information.
A pre-screening application and registration is required for participation in the program.
