Written by Erica Waterford, Vice President of Education & Employment, First Place for Youth

In every community across America there exists an extraordinary pool of talent that remains largely untapped by the business world. Young adults transitioning from foster care represent an opportunity for forward-thinking business leaders to discover resilient, adaptable, and motivated individuals eager to prove themselves in the professional world. By creating alternative pathways that combine employment with education and training, entrepreneurs and executives can simultaneously address workforce needs while empowering young people to build sustainable careers.

The Transformative Power of Earn and Learn

The concept of “earn and learn” represents a powerful approach to workforce development that combines paid workplace experience with career-linked training and credentials. This model creates a win-win scenario where young adults gain immediate financial stability alongside valuable job skills, while businesses develop a pipeline of loyal, well-trained talent. Earn and learn partnerships help develop the next generation of our workforce, which is especially vital as the largest generation in American history ages and retires.

At First Place for Youth, we’ve witnessed remarkable outcomes when businesses commit to this approach. Young people who participate in earn and learn programs demonstrate measurable skills gains, often exceeding employer expectations by being hired on full-time, and bringing fresh perspectives to workplace challenges. These innovative partnerships take many forms — from structured internships to comprehensive apprenticeships — but they share a common goal: creating accessible pathways to meaningful careers.

Consider our partnership with the CVS Health Pharmacy Technician program, which allows participants to work toward Pharmacy Technician Certifications and Licensing while earning competitive wages. As they progress through their educational training, they receive incremental pay raises, gain work experience in the pharmacy as pharmacy clerk and then pharmacy technicians, creating a clear incentive structure that rewards growth. This program not only develops much-needed healthcare professionals but also offers stable employment that accommodates the unique needs of participants while allowing them to contribute to their communities in a high need growth sector.

Similar success stories emerge from our partnerships in early childcare education, organic agriculture, office administration, information technology, and other sectors where hands-on experience proves invaluable. These industries benefit from dedicated young professionals who bring determination and fresh thinking to their roles, while training the workforce leaders of tomorrow.

Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility: A Strategic Business Investment

Supporting foster youth through earn and learn opportunities represents more than just corporate social responsibility—it’s a strategic business decision with measurable returns. Companies facing talent shortages and seeking diverse perspectives benefit immensely from engaging with this population.

Older foster youth are resilient individuals with lived experience in the foster care system. Despite facing circumstances beyond their control, they demonstrate strength, adaptability, and perseverance. They bring unique perspectives, resourcefulness, and a deep sense of determination that enriches their communities and drives their success. With the right support and opportunities, they continue to thrive and build bright futures for themselves and others.

The entrepreneurial mindset and the experiences of foster youth share surprising parallels. Entrepreneurship requires adaptability, creative problem-solving, and persistence through adversity—qualities these young adults have often developed through necessity. When business leaders mentor these young professionals, they’re not starting from zero—they’re building upon a foundation of resilience and determination that has already been established through life experience.

Research from the Brookings Institution highlights how earn-and-learn opportunities address the “paradox” where highly educated workforces coexist with shortages of locally produced talent, particularly from marginalized communities. By investing in foster youth, businesses can solve workforce gaps while creating pathways to success for underrepresented populations.

Creating Opportunities That Transform Lives

What makes earn and learn programs particularly powerful is their dual focus on immediate stability and long-term growth. When young people can earn while learning, they avoid having to choose between education and survival—a choice too many face upon exiting foster care.

These programs can take multiple forms, adapting to the capacity and needs of businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-sized businesses might offer paid internships, while larger organizations could develop registered apprenticeships. The flexibility allows for meaningful participation regardless of a company's resources.

The impact of these opportunities extends far beyond the workplace. Young adults who participate in earn and learn programs demonstrate remarkable outcomes in overall stability. Our data shows that two years after completing our programs, participants earn 1.5 times what those who did not enroll earn and are 3 times more likely to earn industry certifications than those who did not enroll. They're also 1.6 times more likely to be employed than those who never participate.

These statistics represent individual lives transformed through opportunity. Behind each number is a young professional developing their talents and building a sustainable future.

A Call to Action for Business Leaders

As business leaders, we have a unique opportunity to transform lives while strengthening our organizations. Here's how you can make a difference:

  • First, examine your hiring practices. Do your position requirements allow for diverse entry points outside of the traditional four-year, post-secondary educational track? Could partnering with external educators or trainers in an earn-and-learn partnership allow for more diverse applicants?
  • Second, explore partnerships with organizations already serving foster youth. These collaborations provide infrastructure and support that make implementation easier for businesses of any size.
  • Finally, commit to mentorship. Beyond employment, foster youth benefit tremendously from professional relationships that provide guidance, feedback, and connections. Your experience and network represent invaluable assets to a young person establishing their career.

The investment we make in these young adults isn’t charity—it’s a strategic allocation of resources toward developing untapped potential. When we provide opportunities to earn, learn, and grow, we're not just changing individual lives; we're strengthening our businesses and communities for generations to come.

The question isn’t whether we can afford to invest in these young people. Given their talent, resilience, and determination, the real question is: how can we afford not to?