Long Beach Secures $2.1M in State Funding for Youth Employment Opportunities 

Newly secured state funding is set to bring valuable employment and workforce development opportunities to young Long Beach residents, helping prepare them for long-term career success.

Marking a major investment in the next generation of our City’s workforce, the City Council recently approved $2.1 million in grant funding from the California Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement, California Volunteers to be awarded to the Department of Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO).

This grant funding will actively support and expand the Long Beach Youth Service Corps, a state initiative in partnership with the City of Long Beach, which provides a variety of paid employment and service opportunities for young people aged 16 to 30. Some of the existing youth employment programs include:

• Long Beach Public Service Corps

• Long Beach Fire Corps

• Long Beach Urban Planning and Design Internship Program

• Port of Long Beach High School Internship Program

More than 400 youth have already been placed in paid work/service experiences through previous grant awards from the Governor’s office. Alumni have used their experiences to obtain full-time positions within the City or other local organizations, pursue graduate education, secure scholarships and other amazing opportunities.

Scheduled to run through Dec. 31, 2027, this grant award will also contribute to several Long Beach goals and initiatives through its youth employment pathways including the City’s 2030 Strategic Vision, Grow Long Beach Economic Blueprint and S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach: Summer of Opportunity Initiative.

To learn more about youth employment services and how to participate in programming, visit the EDO website or contact the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center at 562.570.4700.