Learning Opportunities

Overview

Learning Opportunities are hosted by providers that serve youth in our community and are programs designed to promote the professional growth and development of the participant through practical and hands-on tasks, projects, and applications. The participant and the career coach will collaboratively complete a learning agreement, with input from the provider supervisor, to determine the goals and expected professional development of the participant. At scheduled intervals, the career coach will assess participant progress.

Learning Opportunity Standards and Criteria

• LO is a structured and short-term learning experience with documented learning objectives.
• LO includes identified participation experiences to promote the growth and development of the participant.
• LO is designed to explore, learn, or practice skills directly tied to Career Goals identified in the Learning Opportunity Agreement.
• LO cannot include activities typically done by an employee to the benefit of the business.

Learning Opportunity Agreements are not to exceed $599 exceptions can be made up to $1,200 with approval of the program manager. Note: all participants receiving more than $599 through PDXYouth@Work will be issued a 1099 for tax reporting.

Recommended Online Programs of Study

LinkedIn Learning Courses & Learning Paths: LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform available for free from the Multnomah County and Washington County library systems.

Metrix Learning Courses & Learning Paths: Metrix Learning offers various tools to assess for skill gaps, provide training content to close gaps, explore career pathways, and connect job seekers with open positions.

Other Learning Opportunities may be permissible per the discretion of each provider. All Learning Opportunities must follow the standards and criteria outlined here and CANNOT include activities in which a “employer-employee relationship” exists.  See the “Forms of Payment for WIOA Youth Program Participants” document for additional guidance.

Stipend Payment Guidance

Estimate the value of a Learning Opportunity activity based on the criteria below. Key factors to consider: engagement and participation requirements, estimated length of time involved, and rigor of the activity.

Activity	Value
Career Lab ($50 for 4/5)	$10
Learning Opportunity Level 1 (engagement & participation estimated at 1 hour)	$20
Learning Opportunity Level 2 (engagement & participation estimated at 1-2 hours)	$40
Learning Opportunity Level 3 (engagement & participation estimated at 3-4 hours)	$80
Learning Opportunity Level 4 (engagement & participation estimated at 4-5 hours)	$100
Learning Opportunity Level 5 (a structured activity lasting longer than 5 hours)	$120
Financial Literacy Course or comparable Financial Literacy Program	$50
Structured full-day seminars, courses, workshops, programs of study	$160/ day
Career Exposure Activities- Industry Tour, Informational Interview, etc Use Level System outlined above	See above
Career Learning Projects- Professional Portfolio, Career Path Presentation Use Level System outlined above	See above
Service-Learning Projects-  Use Level System outlined above	See above
Academic Intervention Activities-  Use Level System outlined above	See above

Stipend Payment Process

Coaches submit stipend requests ONLY when participants are ready to be paid.  For steps on how to request stipends, visit the Stipend Payment page on this Knowledge Base.

New stipend process in 2023- CSS! See https://help.worksystems.org/knowledge-base/yaw-staff-training/

I-Trac Data Entry

For youth who accept a learning opportunity, coaches enter a Work Based Training service in I-Trac.  All Learning Opportunities must be entered into the WEX Bank following the naming convention below:

“2024 Learning Opportunity” for general Learning Opportunities or “2024 Learning Opportunity – [name of program]” for community partner Learning Opportunities such as Word is Bond

See Data Entry Reference for more details.

Download the Learning Opportunity Agreement Template here.

Contacts