Happening at NYEC – January Newsletter
Deepening NYEC’s Youth Housing & Employment Work in Boston
For the past two years, NYEC has partnered with communities across the country to address one of the most urgent challenges facing young people today: the intersection of housing instability and employment. Together with local leaders, we’ve mapped assets, identified gaps, and co-created strategies designed to move young people toward stability, opportunity, and long-term success.
Beginning in 2026–2027, NYEC is deepening its investment in Boston, building on existing relationships and momentum to advance this work through sustained collaboration and shared learning. This next chapter reflects what communities across the country have helped shape: the value of deep engagement, cross-sector coordination, and strategies that center young people at every step. In Boston, NYEC is continuing to collaborate with leaders across sectors to strengthen systems and create clearer pathways for young people experiencing housing instability and homelessness.
With planning already underway, this phase centers on connection — conducting interviews, convening partners, and aligning efforts to support coordinated, youth-centered approaches that lead to meaningful employment and housing outcomes.
Interested in being part of what’s next in Boston? Reach out to our team today!
Employers Advancing Youth Pathways Through the Youth Champion Employer Council
Across industries, employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of investing early in young people—not just to meet workforce needs today, but to build sustainable talent pipelines for the future.
Through NYEC’s Youth Champion Employer Council, leading employers are working together to strengthen career pathways that connect early exposure, skills development, and long-term advancement.
One of those employers is Veolia, whose participation in the Council reflects a broader commitment to aligning education, training, and employment in ways that support young people and communities nationwide.
As a member of the Youth Champion Employer Council, Veolia collaborates with NYEC and peer employers to share strategies, reflect on practice, and advance approaches that introduce young people to progressive careers tied to essential infrastructure and community services. Through this collective work, employers are helping ensure training aligns with in-demand skills, pathways are clearly communicated, and young people are supported from initial interest through employment and growth.
Veolia has also brought real-world perspective to the table by lifting up experiences from its own workforce. In a recent reflection shared publicly, an employee described how hands-on training, mentorship, and clear advancement opportunities transformed early exposure into a long-term career. Stories like these reinforce the importance of designing pathways that prioritize progression and retention—not just short-term hiring.
By engaging through the Youth Champion Employer Council, Veolia and other employer leaders are helping NYEC advance a shared goal: clearer on-ramps to employment, stronger retention, and meaningful advancement opportunities for young people across communities.
Interested in joining employers shaping youth career pathways nationwide?
Learn more about the NYEC Youth Champion Employer Council and how to get involved.
Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Opportunities Available Now
As organizations across the country look to strengthen their workforce and better support young people entering the field, NYEC is expanding access to training opportunities that center youth development, mental health, and practitioner readiness.
Pre-Apprenticeship Curricula
NYEC is thrilled to share two free pre-apprenticeship curricula designed to build capacity, strengthen practice, and support staff working directly with young people:
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Empowering Futures — NYEC’s mental health–focused pre-apprenticeship curriculum, designed to support young people’s well-being while building foundational skills for employment and career exploration.
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Youth Development Practitioner (YDP) Curriculum — developed by the National Institute for Work and Learning, this curriculum supports staff in building core youth development competencies that strengthen program quality and outcomes.
These curricula are designed to be accessible and practical, allowing organizations to test implementation, provide feedback, and explore how these materials can support long-term workforce development goals.
Upcoming Virtual Facilitator Support Session
To support organizations interested in getting started, NYEC will host an upcoming virtual facilitator support session focused on implementing the Empowering Futures Mental Health Pre-Apprenticeship Curriculum.
This session is designed for organizations that want to:
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Learn more about the curriculum and implementation approach
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Understand expectations and supports available during the pilot
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Connect with NYEC staff and peers exploring this work
To receive session details and joining information, organizations are encouraged to complete the Interest Form linked below.
Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship
In addition to the current pre-apprenticeship opportunities, NYEC is preparing to launch a Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship in early 2026. This apprenticeship is intended for organizations interested in training or upskilling staff through a structured, work-based learning model that builds on youth development principles and real-world practice.
Get Involved
Whether you’re interested in piloting a pre-apprenticeship curriculum now or learning more about the upcoming Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship, NYEC welcomes conversations with organizations ready to invest in youth-centered workforce development.
Interested in participating or learning more?
Get in touch with the NYEC team or complete the Interest Form to take the next step.