Next Generation Zone

Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce

Founded in 2007, the Next Generation Zone is the Spokane area’s only career center for young adults, staffed and administered by a partnership of agencies. This innovative, nationally-recognized model program provides education, career skills training, and community and employment resources to young adults between the ages of 16 and 24.

As a WorkSource affiliate site, Next Generation Zone is a partner of the American Job Center Network.

1,750

Young adults served each year, 750 receiving individualized in-person services

$12.45

Average wage for young adults who achieve employment through our program

151

Number of students who graduated from the HSE classroom from 2017-2018

What We Do

Education

HSE (High School Equivalency)
Assessments & testing
Tutoring & test preparation

Training

Job shadows
Internships
Financial literacy training
Post-secondary career training & education

Career

21st century skills academy
Career assessments coaching
Career skills workshops

Featured Event

Next Gen Job Fair

We introduced the Next Gen Job Fair in 2016 as an event focused on helping teens and young adults connect with employers for their first job. The Next Generation Zone, our youth career and education center, takes the lead on this event.

Featured Investment

Passport to Career Success

The SWC developed the online passport to success tool in order to better serve Spokane’s young adults. This tool helps young people assess their skills and interests, research careers and make a career plan, including education or training, applying for jobs, and interviewing. This tool has been used in Next Gen Zone’s 21st Century Skills Academy and has been adopted by several career counselors at local high schools. As of early 2019, over 1,500 accounts had been created.

FEATURED INVESTMENT

Skilled Trades Academy

As Part of Career Connect WA, the Skilled Trades Academy will give 30 participants the chance to immerse themselves in the exciting world of skilled trades. High school credit and a weekly stipend will be extended to participants. This three-week program will offer safety instruction, industry tours and speakers, certification training in Forklift and Flagging, a graduation celebration and more!