Disrupting The Disconnected Youth Pipeline

The Opportunity Youth Coalition (OYC) is a major systems-level effort led by Workforce Connections (WC), the Local Workforce Development Board for Southern Nevada, and over 30 key partners aimed at reconnecting youth ages 16 to 24 who are not in school or working. This population – often referred to as “Opportunity Youth” – faces persistent structural barriers that prevent full participation in education, training, and employment systems. In Clark County alone, almost 37,000 youth were disconnected (American Community Survey, 2023), representing a relatively high disconnection rate (14.8%). Through a collaborative effort, the OYC was launched to address this crisis through coordinated, equity-focused, and long-term systems change.

Youth and adult apprenticeships offer employers a powerful workforce development strategy to New Ways to Work is extremely proud and fortunate to assist in this strategic planning process and final action plan. This comprehensive document culminates work by Southern Nevada community leaders, educational advocates, business leaders, and young people themselves.

This document is a call to action for those who want to see all young people connected to educational, employment, and support opportunities. This planning report lays the foundation for a new era of collaboration. Through systems alignment, equity-driven access, capacity building, and shared data accountability, we are building a unified regional approach that connects youth to pathways of success.

Please read the report below to see supporting data, complete findings, recommendations and highlighted best practices.

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