Youth Employment Service (YES)

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The Youth Employment Service (YES) provides a variety of services to help Simi Valley youth, ages 15 to 22, land their first job or develop their early career paths. These include Entering the Workforce and Interview Skills Workshops, plus 1-on-1 coaching services. The YES also refers applicants to available jobs year round through its Job Posting Service offered to Simi Valley Employers.

The YES also hosts an annual Job and Career Fair every spring, connecting hundreds of young people to local employers, vocational schools, and recruiter services.

For Job Seekers 

Entering the Workforce Workshops

The Entering the Workforce workshop is available to youth ages 13-17 and is offered two times per year. The next Entering the Workforce workshop with a focus on entrepreneurship will be held in winter 2025. This free workshop focuses on employment options for teens ages 13 to 17, workplace ethics and safety, as well as job readiness. To receive notice of future YES workshops, email the YES Coordinator at yes@simivalley.org.

Interview Skills Workshops

Interview Skills workshops are held at local high schools and at the Simi Valley Public Library. The Interview Skills workshops are presented each spring to prepare students to apply and interview for their first job. This free workshop covers how to complete a job application, how to dress to meet employers, and how to prepare for an interview. To receive notice of future YES workshops, email the YES Coordinator at yes@simivalley.org.

1-on-1 Job Coaching

If you’re looking for work but not sure where to begin, sign up for 1-on-1 job coaching sessions. In these sessions you will:

  • Reviewing the job application process
  • Developing your interview skills
  • Discuss professionalism in the workplace
  • Receive job referrals to companies that are now hiring!

Appointments can be made by calling YES at (805) 583-6766.

Under 18? A Waiver of Liability must be completed prior to receiving free services. More information for parents and guardians is available.

Please note: The YES does not issue work permits. Contact the youth's school of attendance for work permit eligibility information and an application

YES Annual Job and Career Fair

If you’re looking for a part-time or full-time job, seasonal or permanent employment, don’t miss the annual Youth Employment Service Job and Career Fair held each spring. This event typically attracts nearly 300 job seekers and over 60 employers. Participation is free for both businesses and youth. The 2025 Simi Valley Job and Career Fair will be held in the Spring 2025, at the Simi Valley Public Library.  During the Job and Career Fair, job seekers meet directly with businesses that are hiring and have the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills with volunteers from the local business community. YES volunteers are also onsite to provide assistance with completing applications and resume writing.  For more information regarding YES events, email yes@simivalley.org.

No Cost Services for Employers (or For Employers)

Promote your Job Openings - If your business is hiring, the Youth Employment Service is ready to send qualified applicants your way. Youth referred by YES have been coached on the techniques of the job search, professionalism in the workplace, and follow-up skills. This service is provided at no cost to all employers in Simi Valley. If you would like to post your job opening with the YES please go to www.simivalley.org/YESJobPosting.

Please note the YES does not accept referrals for residential employment.

YES Advisory Board

The YES Advisory Board is made up of representatives of government agencies, schools, employers, and community members at large to discuss employment issues that relate to youth. The YES Advisory Board works with City Staff in facilitating workshops and planning the annual Job and Career Expo.

Apply to Serve or Get Involved - The YES Advisory Board has a variety of representative positions including, at-large, local business, local government, and youth. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please complete an online application for the next term beginning on July 1, 2025.  

YES Advisory Board meetings take place on the third Wednesday of each month during the school year, at 8:15 a.m., in the City Hall Community Room. View the meeting dates and agendas for more information. The meetings are open to the public, and anyone with an interest in youth employment is encouraged to attend. Note that the YES Advisory Board meetings are dark during the summer months.

Startup Simi: a Business Incubator Committee

The YES Advisory Board established an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate establishing a business incubator to assist young entrepreneurs. The Committee has recently finished researching different models of business incubators, compiling a list of best practices, and determining the needs of startup businesses in the area. The Committee is currently hosting various speaker events geared towards the entrepreneurial and startup communities in Simi Valley.

Stay Up-to-Date with YES events and programs by signing up to receive e-notifications to receive regular updates. You can also contact the YES Coordinator or call (805) 583-6766

Youth Employment Service (YES)

2929 Tapo Canyon Road

Simi Valley, CA 93063

(805) 583-6766

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Art Session for the Youth Council's Book to Action Community Art Project

This free event is intended for community members of all ages

The Simi Valley Youth Council invites artists of all ages and skill levels to participate in its first ever Book to Action project called Rising Strong: A Path Through Hardship.

The Youth Council will host a community art session on Wednesday, December 15, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., in the Library's Community Room. This free, all ages event, will allow attendees to design their tiles in a community setting with art supplies provided.  All completed art tiles will be featured in a collective display at the Library in January 2022.

If you are unable to attend the art session, you are invited to pick up your precut paper tiles, available in either 6" x 6" or 6" x 12" sizes, at the Simi Valley Public Library, located at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, or at Simi Valley City Hall located at 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.

Completed paper tiles can be dropped off at either City Hall or the Library by December 15, 2021.

Background on the Book to Action Project:  This project asks artists to create works that are representative of themes found in Dr. Brene Brown's book, Rising Strong. These themes include overcoming a hardship or "rising strong" when faced with adversity. Rising Strong is the book selected by the Simi Valley Public Library for its second Community Reads Initiative.

Although reading Rising Strong is not required, artists can use the book as inspiration to draw, paint, or sketch images on premade paper tiles that represent a challenge they have overcome or are working to overcome.

"Rising Strong is about recovering from adversity or failure, not allowing our mistakes to hold us back, and moving forward in life," said Youth Council member Abhishek Jagannathan. "The book teaches resilience," Mr. Jagannathan continued, "everyone faces some sort of adversity in their lives, especially in light of COVID-19. Resilience in these times is key, which is why the Youth Council invites community members to participate in this project."

For further information about the Community Reads Initiative or information about the book Rising Strong, visit https://simivallevlibrary.org/community-read. For additional information regarding the Book to Action project, contact Kristin Tignac, Community Services Coordinator, at (805) 583-6766 or ktignac@simivalley.org.

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