Youth Job Training
About Excelerators
Excelerators are designed to prepare young people for work through accelerated education, training, and hands-on skill application in growing career fields. Each Excelerator focuses on a different high-demand field, including training, certifications, and relevant skill-building to prepare young people for careers.
The first cohort of our groundbreaking Manufacturing Technology Excelerator launched in February 2023, followed by our Health Excelerator in June 2023! The Tech Excelerator launched in the fall of 2023, and our Culinary Excelerator launched in 2025.
Manufacturing
Registration Now Closed
Health
Registration Now Closed
Technology
Registration Now Closed
Culinary
Registration Now Closed
Through our Excelerators, we 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 Tech Excelerator
- Training is at Spark at Booth-Kelly
- Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm (lunch included)
- The internship will occur at businesses in the greater Eugene/Springfield area.
- Monday to Friday (hours TBD)
- Must be 18-24
- No previous experience or prerequisites are necessary
Provided by Connected Lane County:
- Transportation assistance
- Lunch during class
- $17 per hour wage
Registration is currently closed.
Health Excelerator
Get paid to become a Certified Nursing Assistant! This experience provides financial and other support services for participants through 80 hours of CNA1 training, 40 hours of clinical practice, and 120+ hours 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.
Provided by Connected Lane County:
- Transportation
- Food Assistance
- $17 per hour wage
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 human/computer interaction and problem-solving, web design, programming, and IT support for hardware/infrastructure installation.
- Classes will be hosted at Spark on 7th (22 W. 7th Ave, Eugene)
- Monday, September 30, 2024 to Thursday, November 7, 2024
- 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.
- Tuesday, November 12 to Friday, December 13
- Monday to Friday (five days per week, full-time)
Registration is currently closed.
Culinary and Hospitality Excelerator
The Culinary and Hospitality 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 and hospitality pros 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
Requirements:
- Must be 18 - 24 years old
- No previous experience is needed
Provided by Connected Lane County:
- Transportation assistance
- Lunch during training
- $17 per hour wage
Registration is currently closed.