Workforce Development

Life & Workforce Readiness

The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County offers life & workforce readiness activities for members ages 6-18 at all of our Club sites. We offer a wide range of career exploration and fun, hands-on activities to help our members prepare for their future.



Our work-based learning program, Junior Staff, provides paid on-the-job-training and real world work experiences for teens ages 14-15+. Junior Staff assist Program Leaders in providing fun activities to youth at the Club.

Junior Staff help keep the Club safe, clean, and organized. They also get on-going professional development training to help them gain employability and life skills that will help them throughout their lives.



The YouthForce Job Center for Teens helps teens identify job opportunities in the community, develop real world employability skills, earn certifications, discover helpful resources, and connect with local employers. We also host a Job Fair & Career Showcase each spring, plus offer exciting Career Camps, field trips, and other experiences to help teen envision possible career and education pathways.



With so many education and training options available after high school, it is important to start thinking about, deciding, and preparing as early as possible. Fortunately there are many resources available to help students, and families, find and prepare for the best post-secondary option for them. The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County – YouthForce can help too!