Your Workforce Bestie Kevina has been DROPPING KNOWLEDGE over on LinkedIn, and we are thrilled she’s bringing that heat back to the ClubX Blog today, including inspiring stories of what Life & Workforce Readiness strategies look like at Clubs.
Every young person deserves more than a job plan—they deserve a future they can own. One filled with confidence, connection, and choice. But too often, workforce readiness is treated like an add-on, not a throughline. The truth? It’s not just about jobs—it’s about skills, exploration, and relationships that open doors. Clubs are already doing this work. Now’s the time to name it, elevate it, and make it intentional. Because the future doesn’t just happen—it’s built.
And we’re the builders.
Life & Workforce Readiness (LWR) isn’t just a framework—it’s a commitment. One that ensures all young people gain access to:
- Essential skills they need to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce
- Career exploration and exposure that opens their eyes to what’s possible
- Financial literacy education to build confidence and informed decision-making
- Work-based learning that brings skills to life through real-world application
- Social capital and mentorship that open doors to opportunity
But LWR doesn’t always require a brand-new program. In fact, many Clubs already have powerful platforms that can be intentionally leveraged to build these skills—and Keystone Leadership Club is one of them.
Keystone + LWR = Perfect Match
Keystone Clubs are more than leadership programs. When teens lead meetings, plan projects, manage budgets, or connect with community partners, they practice communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and networking—core components of workforce readiness.
At Boys & Girls Club of Greater Manchester, Keystone teens are doing just that—and more. With the support of a grant, they launched and now manage a fully functioning store that generates revenue to fund Keystone activities and conference travel. From budgeting and merchandising to customer service and marketing, teens are developing real-world business skills while contributing to their Club’s sustainability.
Many Keystone members also work in the Club itself, gaining hands-on experience and building relationships with staff, members, and community partners. These experiences are more than leadership—they are meaningful, teen-centered work-based learning opportunities.
By leveraging an existing program and aligning it with Life & Workforce Readiness (LWR), Greater Manchester’s Club is helping teens connect what they’re doing right now with where they want to go next.
What Does LWR Look Like in Action?
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor (BGCLAH), teens are gaining real-world experience through a Skilled Trades Program in partnership with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. High school members explore carpentry, welding, electrical, and plumbing—and even earn industry-recognized certifications.
In a community where over 300,000 construction and manufacturing jobs are projected in the coming years, but few high school programs prepare teens to fill them, this program is bridging the gap. It introduces teens to meaningful careers that don’t require a four-year degree—offering stability, growth, and pride.
“This welding trade program didn’t just teach me a valuable skill—it gave me the confidence to chase a dream I’ve had for years: welding and working with cars. Now I have a job at a classic car restoration shop. Without this program, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.” — Jason, BGCLAH Teen & Skilled Trades Program Alum
In communities where four-year degrees may not be the only—or best—path, Clubs like BGCLAH are helping teens access sustainable careers that match their interests, talents, and goals.
Where Does Your Club Stand?
The LWR Organizational Assessment is a simple, yet powerful tool designed to help your Club understand where you are—and where you can go next.
No matter where you are, the goal isn’t just to assess—it’s to take action.
What does progress look like?
One Club started at the Essential for All phase, offering occasional career days and resume-building workshops for all age groups. After completing the LWR Organizational Assessment, they saw an opportunity to go deeper with their teen population.
They began hosting monthly teen-only work-based learning sessions, introduced a summer job shadowing program, and added skill reflection prompts into Keystone meetings. Within a year, their teens were leading sessions, inviting guest speakers, and sharing how the program shaped their career goals.
These intentional shifts moved them into the Essential for All Teens phase—by creating consistent, age-appropriate, teen-centered workforce experiences.
Take the First Step
This is more than a campaign—it’s a culture shift. One that ensures teens don’t just leave our Clubs ready for their first job, but ready for life.
Let’s make that shift together.
Questions? Reach out to Workforce@bgca.org.
How do you support youth and teens as they prepare for the future? What are your favorite ways to integrate Life & Workforce Readiness into existing programs? We want to know! Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
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