Young Adult Program Services

Is YAPS for me?

Yes, if you are between 16 and 24 years old and

have the desire to work but are having trouble finding a job
want a better job
want more education - a GED or college classes

Young Adult Program Services provides assistance with education and opportunities for career exploration to young adults 16-24 years old. Assistance includes

transportation
GED testing fees
college transition assistance
job skills training
job search assistance
paid work experience

Young Adults at Work

Zavijava Thomas was taking General Education Development (GED) prep classes at Kankakee Community College, when she learned of an opportunity to gain work experience through the college's WIOA Young Adult Program.

Thinking it would be an opportunity to meet new people, Thomas, who was a homeschooling student prior to enrolling at KCC, spent the summer of 2013 working at the Kankakee Public Library in the Youth Services Department. Her duties included interacting with library patrons, planning family reading nights, and shelving books.

"Zavijava was amazing," said Camille Rose, youth services supervisor at the Kankakee Public Library. "She had good interactions with the kids and was great one-on-one. The kids looked up to her and respected her."

The WIOA Young Adult Program is designed to support and encourage students age 16 through 24 explore career opportunities, gain hands-on experience and build work history. The program recently shifted focus from offering summer employment opportunities like Zavijava experienced to preparing students with job skills and internships throughout the year.

The program asks for local businesses to host an intern for up to 29 hours a week. Each participant is trained in Microsoft Word and Excel, customer service, telephone etiquette and time management. The program pays the wages of the students for the businesses, which are covered under KCC's insurance.

While having extra staff is helpful for the businesses and organizations that take advantage of hiring students, the students get the added benefit of building their resume.

Part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, YAP is funded by the Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board. YAP also offers participants alternative secondary school offerings and career exploration activities. YAP provides mentoring, academic counseling, occupational skill training, and workshops on leadership and teamwork. Businesses who are interested in taking part in providing a position for a student or students, who are interested in participating in the program, should contact kvaulx@kcc.edu.

Host a YAPS Intern

Young Adult Program Services provides no-risk interns to local businesses. Interns are paid by YAPS and covered under KCC's insurance.

To host an intern

Choose to participate - contact Kristney Vaulx at 815-802-8272 or kvaulx@kcc.edu.
Complete a short questionnaire, providing information on necessary works skills. YAPS can then match up a participant that meets your expectations.
Meet the participant and determine if they are a "fit." You choose whom to hire.
Every other Friday, fill out a timesheet verifying the intern's work hours.
At the end of the employment period, fill out a brief evaluation that covers basic work habits: punctuality, reliability initiative and appropriate work behaviors.

FAQ

Am I obligated to retain an intern for any amount of time?
No. At any time, for any reason, an employer may cease a participant's employment.

How many hours a week can an intern work and what hours are they available?
The maximum hours per week is 29. There are no restrictions on when these hours can be worked. The employer and intern can determine a schedule that is mutually acceptable.

What if my worksite requires a background check and/or drug screen prior to employment?
YAPS will cover the cost of background check and/or drug screens at no cost.

What types of skills will participants have?
YAPS participants receive training in customer service, telephone etiquette, time management and software programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

If any problems arise, who is responsible for resolving them?
YAPS staff is always available to assist with any problems.

If I want to keep an intern as an employee, is there a fee?
No. If an employer chooses to retain their YAPS intern as an employee, there is no fee. YAPS is not a placement agency. Although keeping an intern on your payroll is an option, there is no expectation for you to do so.

Contact

For more information or questions contact Kristney Vaulx at 815-802-8272 or kvaulx@kcc.edu.