Youth Job Training
About Excelerators
Excelerators are designed to prepare young people for the workforce through accelerated education, training, and hands-on internships in growing career fields. Each Excelerator focuses on a different high-demand field, integrating training, certifications, and relevant skill-building to prepare young people for fulfilling careers.
The first cohort of our groundbreaking Manufacturing Excelerator launched in February 2023, followed by our Health Excelerator in June 2023! The Information Technology Excelerator launched in the fall of 2023, and our Culinary launched in 2025.
Manufacturing
Registration Now Closed
Health
Registration Now Closed
Technology
Registration Now Closed
Culinary
Registration Now Closed
Connected Lane County's Excelerators are investing in the future of our community and empowering the next generation of workers. It's exciting to imagine what amazing things these young people will accomplish!
Manufacturing Excelerator
- Training is at Spark at Booth-Kelly
- Monday through Thursday (lunch included)
- The internship will occur at businesses in the greater Eugene/Springfield area.
- 40 hours per week (individual schedules may vary)
- Must be 18-24
- No previous experience or prerequisites are necessary
Provided by Connected Lane County:
- Transportation assistance
- Required PPE and other work-related gear
- Lunch during training
- $17 hourly wage throughout training and internship
Registration is currently closed.
Health Excelerator
Get paid to jump-start your healthcare career! This program supports participants completing six weeks of specialized training, required clinical practice experiences, and full-time applied training in an internship environment.
Training: This unique opportunity pays participants throughout the training process while they gain industry-critical knowledge in medical terminology, CNA 1, CPR, first aid certifications, and hands-on experience.
Dates:
- Phase 1: Onboarding
- Phase 2: Nursing Assistant Program CNA 1 Training
- Phase 3: Clinical Hours
- Phase 4: Medical/Healthcare Internship
Requirements:
- Must be between 18-24.
- Attendance is mandatory.
- A drug test, background check, and up-to-date vaccinations (Hep B, Varicella, MMR, Flu) are required. Connected Lane County staff can help participants acquire these. Please note that the requirements may change from year to year.
Provided by Connected Lane County:
- Transportation assistance
- Required PPE and other work-related gear
- Lunch during training
- $17 hourly wage throughout training and internship
Registration is currently closed.
- Develop technology skills
- Attend on-site tours of local tech companies
- Gain exposure to professionalism in the workplace
- Learn personal finance skills
- Participate in job safety training
Technology Excelerator
The Tech Excelerator is a paid 10-week experience broken into two parts that consist of six weeks of education and training (120 hours) followed by a four-week internship with local industry professionals (150+ hours).
This program is for out-of-school youth between the ages of 18-24 who are interested in learning and developing the technology skills necessary to enter the tech industry. No experience or prerequisites are necessary.
Training and skills will include low-level and high-level programming, helpdesk training, systems development, servers, and networking.
- Classes will be hosted at Spark on 7th (22 W. 7th Ave, Eugene)
- Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm (four days per week, lunch provided)
- The internship will be in the greater Eugene/Springfield area.
- Monday to Friday (five days per week, full-time)
- Must be 18-24
- No previous experience or prerequisites are necessary
- Transportation assistance
- Required PPE and other work-related gear
- Lunch during training
- $17 hourly wage throughout training and internship
Registration is currently closed.
Culinary Excelerator
The Culinary Excelerator helps young adults build real skills in the kitchen and beyond. Get hands-on training in a commercial kitchen, where you’ll learn essential techniques like knife skills, food handling, and safety. Plus, dive into the business side of the industry, connecting with local chefs to kick-start your career in the culinary world. No experience or prerequisites are necessary.
This Excelerator spans nine weeks from: June 23, 2025 - August 22, 2025.
Phase 1: Training
- Professional skills, kitchen and industry training, tours.
- Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (lunch provided)
Phase 2: Work Experience
- Work experience providing catering to local programs.
- Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Must be 18-24
- No previous experience or prerequisites are necessary
Provided by Connected Lane County:
- Transportation assistance
- Required PPE and other work-related gear
- Lunch during training
- $17 hourly wage throughout training and internship
Registration is currently closed.