California
California Conservation Corps
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is basically a one-year program which emphasizes workforce development. Programs include environmental conservation in the wilderness, fire protection, and emergency response covering fires, floods, oil spills, and earthquakes. CCC members learn teamwork, self-discipline, confidence, and receive technical skills and training. Corps members are paid minimum wage, receive medical benefits, along with room and board. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years of age and cannot be on probation or parole. Many Corps members who complete college later become environmental workers at state or federal levels.
National
AmeriCorps
Devote a year of your life to AmeriCorps, and you'll be serving your community through local improvement programs that benefit everyone. AmeriCorps members learn skills that last a lifetime, receive a living allowance, free health insurance, and earn money for educational expenses.
Job Corps
Academic, vocational and life skills training. Health care, counseling, and placement assistance. Job Corps, the nation's largest and most comprehensive residential training program for at-risk youth ages 16 to 24, will provide these things—all at no cost to you—at one of their nationwide centers.
National Guard Youth Challenge Program
Unemployed high school dropouts ages 16 to 18 that want a second chance—and are willing to work hard to get it—can sign up for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. The Challenge uses military training and mentoring to help graduates get their degrees and go on to better lives.
Registered Apprentice Program
If you're at least 16 years old and already know what industry you want to be a part of, a registered apprentice program in your community is a way to get paid while you learn the skills you need to succeed in your field.
YouthBuild
Building up your community—as well as yourself—is what happens when you get involved with YouthBuild. You help provide low-cost housing for disadvantaged people in your area and, in return, you'll get the skills and training that you need to build the foundation for your own future.