Program Overview
Youth Services is here to help Baltimore’s young people explore opportunities, build skills, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers. From summer employment to year-round training and support, we connect you with experiences that help you grow, learn, and move forward with confidence.
YouthWorks Summer Jobs
Through YouthWorks, teens and young adults ages 14–21 are offered summer positions with private, nonprofit, and city and state government employers in Baltimore City. Youth will learn to prepare for a career and learn new skills.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Job Training for Youth
The WIOA Youth Program supports Baltimore City young people by connecting out-of-school individuals ages 18–24 and in-school seniors with opportunities to build their future careers. Through partnerships with training providers and community organizations, participants can explore career pathways, gain occupational skills, and earn industry-recognized credentials. The program is designed to help young people strengthen their readiness for employment, education, or advanced training.
YH2O: Baltimore Pre-Apprenticeship Program
YH2O is a pre-apprenticeship and mentoring program offered in partnership with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. The program provides Baltimore City residents ages 18–24 with hands-on training, mentorship, and an introduction to careers within the water and wastewater industry. Participants gain practical experience, build workplace readiness skills, and explore what it’s like to pursue employment in public works and related fields. This opportunity is designed for young adults who have earned a high school diploma or GED and are seeking to strengthen their pathway toward full-time employment.
Youth Opportunity Center
Youth Opportunity services in Baltimore are designed to support young adults ages 18–24 as they explore their next steps toward education, employment, and career growth. Whether you are looking to continue your studies, prepare for the GED, gain job training, or connect with employment opportunities, we are here to provide guidance and resources along the way. Services are available through our West Baltimore location, as well as through our hub-based Youth Opportunity services offered at the Eastside Career Center. These spaces are designed to help you build skills, discover new opportunities, and move forward on a path that aligns with your goals and interests.
Maryland's Blueprint Career Coach Initiative
The Blueprint Career Coach Initiative connects Baltimore City middle and high school students with dedicated career coaches who support them in exploring interests and planning for the future. Coaches help students set goals, discover career options, build skills, and navigate pathways after graduation, whether that includes college, training, or the workforce. This initiative empowers young people with the guidance and confidence to make informed decisions about their next steps.
Grads2Careers
Grads2Careers helps recent Baltimore City Public Schools graduates begin their careers. It does this by providing free job training programs to prepare youth for jobs in well-paying, high-demand careers. If you live in Baltimore City, graduated from a Baltimore City Public School or got a Maryland High School Diploma (GED), and you're between 18 and 21 years old, you can get free job training to earn certificates in many fields.
Job training and certifications are available in:
- Automotive
- Biotechnology
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Distribution & Logistics
- Land Surveying
Grads2Careers is a program in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Baltimore’s Promise. Visit Grads2Careers for more information or to submit an application.