A program built around work, education, and support
YEP combines hands-on career training, paid work experience, education, and personal support so young adults can build confidence, earn credentials, and take the next step toward stable employment and adulthood.
Choose a career pathway and build real skills
Construction
Trainees learn in YEP’s on-site workshop and through real-world projects, from tiny houses and affordable homes to rehabilitation projects like the Stable Futures dorm.
Culinary Arts
YEP’s Culinary Arts program operates from an in-house commercial kitchen and helps trainees earn certifications for careers in Oakland’s food and hospitality industry.
Warehouse & Logistics
Trainees build practical warehouse skills, earn forklift certification, and prepare for opportunities at ports, warehouses, and distribution centers.
Landscaping & Farm-to-Table
Trainees help beautify the community through hands-on projects such as maintaining planters, tending YEP’s vegetable garden and orchard, and creating peaceful public green spaces.
Education that works alongside job training
YEP trainees continue their education while building career pathway skills. Depending on their goals, trainees may take high school credit recovery classes, participate in a licensing program, or enroll in community college courses.
Many young adults come to YEP after negative classroom experiences, learning challenges, or difficulty re-entering school. YEP’s model connects education to hands on work, with the structure, tutoring, and counseling support needed to help trainees move forward.
Education Support Includes:
From Support to Stability
Young adults come to YEP with different goals and different barriers. YEP helps each trainee build stability through practical support, paid training, education, and career preparation.
Housing stability, coaching, case management, and mental health referrals help young adults address barriers before and during training.
Trainees develop workplace habits, communication skills, confidence, resumes, interview skills, and executive functioning.
Young adults gain hands-on experience in construction, culinary arts, warehouse/logistics, or landscaping.
Trainees work toward a high school diploma, credit recovery, licensing, certifications, or community college coursework.
YEP helps trainees prepare for job placement, career-track opportunities, and longer-term self-sufficiency.
What Trainees Work Toward
