Happening at NYEC – March Newsletter
NYEC Youth Champion Employer Spotlight
From Skills to Careers: CVS Health Builds Pathways to Opportunity
Across the country, employers are stepping up to create real, accessible pathways to meaningful careers—and CVS Health is leading the charge.
Through its Workforce Innovation & Talent Centers (WITCs), CVS Health is expanding access to hands-on training that prepares individuals for in-demand roles in healthcare and retail. These centers simulate real workplace environments, giving participants the opportunity to build practical skills before stepping into the workforce.
Participants gain experience in roles such as pharmacy technician, customer service associate, and retail team member, while also receiving career coaching and wraparound support through partnerships with local workforce and community organizations.
“Our Workforce Innovation and Talent Center aims to create pathways to opportunity,” shared Sheryl Burke, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer at CVS Health.
What stands out here isn’t just the training—it’s the intention. CVS Health is helping bridge the gap between community-based learning and long-term employment, showing what it looks like when employers don’t just hire talent—they invest in it.
At NYEC, we’re proud to spotlight employers like CVS Health who are building sustainable career pathways and strengthening local workforce ecosystems.
Apprenticeship Opportunity
Launching the Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship
NYEC is excited to launch its first Youth Development Practitioner (YDP) Apprenticeship cohort in July 2026—sign up today.
This apprenticeship, powered by FHI 360-developed training, combines 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning with 165 hours of structured coursework, giving participants both foundational knowledge and real-world experience.
Participants will build skills in Positive Youth Development principles, coaching and individualized support, group facilitation, career pathway navigation, case management, technology and organizational systems, professional development, and self-care.
Upon completion, apprentices earn a U.S. Department of Labor-recognized credential and are prepared for careers such as youth intake counseling, outreach, after-school program leadership, and justice reentry support.