Connect2Careers (C2C) represents a partnership between the Workforce Partnership and funders who support innovative youth employment programming. Through each program, we work directly with young adults to develop and support their career goals through work-readiness training, case management, job coaching and paid work experiences. Studies show when youth engage in programs like C2C and are better prepared for employment early on, they are more likely to earn higher wages across their lifetime, which benefits not only the individual but helps to build a more prosperous economy across our region.

Why is C2C so important?

In San Diego county there are 38,000 opportunity youth—young adults ages 16–24 who are not working or in school. These young people account for 9.2% of the county’s youth population. And the youth disconnection rate is unevenly distributed among our young adults, impacting women and Black, Indigenous, and people of color at higher rates.  

Councilmember Montgomery, Peter Callstrom and Mayor Todd Gloria stand at podium at San Diego Zoo

Most opportunity youth are high school graduates—the disconnection rate rises sharply as youth leave high school and struggle to find work or can afford higher education. This is a crucial inflection point in young adults’ lives and providing more support for the transition from high school to the job market, education or training is a key lever in reducing disconnection, supporting talent pipelines for employers and contributing to the overall health of our local economy.   

C2C partners with the following funders on direct youth services: 

  • Bank of America Charitable Foundation
  • City of San Diego
  • County of San Diego
  • Gap, Inc.
  • Hyatt
  • The James Irvine Foundation
  • San Diego Gas & Electric
  • Vista Unified School District
  • Walmart

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Opportunity Youth Research

To learn more about our work serving young adults throughout San Diego county, please contact Shaina Gross at ShainaGross@workforce.org