Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce: How Boys & Girls Clubs Help Power America’s Economic Engine

ATLANTA, GA – June 22, 2026 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a national leader in preparing young people for the future workforce, equipping millions of youth with the skills, experiences and connections needed to succeed in work, life and leadership. Through its Life & Workforce Readiness strategy, Boys & Girls Clubs helps teens build the skills, explore career pathways and gain real-world experience needed to thrive after high school and in a rapidly changing economy. As graduates prepare for what’s next, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is teaming up with national partners to ensure more young people are ready for life after graduation.

Through Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s life & workforce readiness initiative, young people gain practical skills, explore career pathways and connect with mentors who help them prepare for life after high school. Clubs begin preparing young people as early as age six and continue through the teen years, connecting skill development, career exploration and real-world experiences across a young person’s journey. Whether pursuing college, entering the workforce, learning a trade or joining the military, Club teens are developing the confidence and capabilities needed to achieve long-term success. This work is helping build the next generation of talent, strengthening local communities and contributing to the future of America’s workforce.

Data from Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2026 Youth Right Now Graduation Report shows that workforce readiness programs help teens successfully navigate life after graduation. Among Club seniors and young alumni ages 18-30, the vast majority report feeling prepared to navigate life after high school, including managing responsibilities, setting goals and making informed decisions about their futures.

Key Findings from the 2026 Youth Right Now Graduation Report

According to the report, Boys & Girls Clubs help high school seniors prepare for what’s next. These findings highlight how life and workforce readiness experiences at Clubs help teens build the skills, confidence and decision-making abilities needed for adulthood.

• 81% of Club 12th graders earn mostly A’s and B’s compared to 76% of 12th graders nationally, as reported by the CDC.
• 63% of Club 12th graders plan to enroll in more school after graduation. Of those, 77% aim to earn a four-year college degree or higher.
• 92% of Club 12th graders have explored career paths and already have a career in mind.
• 94% of Club 12th graders feel ready to get a job and 87% feel confident managing their finances.

“There was a time when I wasn’t sure if college was a possibility. But my Boys & Girls Club helped open that door, and now, I’m enrolling right out of high school,” said Boys & Girls Club member and 2026 graduating senior, Holden. “For a while, I wasn’t sure which career path to take, but everything clicked when I saw Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s leadership in action. It inspired me to work toward becoming an executive myself, so that one day, I’ll get to decide how a big organization makes a positive impact.”

The impact of Club programs extends into adulthood. Compared to their peers, young Club alumni are more likely to take steps to advance their careers and achieve long-term success. These outcomes demonstrate how early access to career exploration and skill-building helps young people successfully transition from high school into adulthood and translates into long-term workforce success and economic mobility.

• Young Club alumni are more likely to interview for a job, use career services, and complete a job training or certification than other young adults.
• Young Club alumni are more likely to report than other young adults that: their work feels meaningful (69% more likely), their job uses their skills (68% more likely), and they earn enough to cover basic needs (66% more likely).
• Young Club alumni are 33% more likely to make good spending decisions than other young adults.

“The transition from high school to adulthood can be both exciting and uncertain, which is why access to career exploration and real-world learning experiences are so important,” said Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Boys & Girls Club young alumni are 40% more likely to know the steps and requirements needed to pursue the career they want, and 60% more likely to be working full-time than their peers nationally, underscoring the impact of connecting young people with real-world experiences and clear pathways to opportunity. When you look at where talent, resilience and opportunity are being built across this country, it’s clear that America’s economic engine is in Boys & Girls Clubs.”

Building Foundational Skills That Prepare the Next Generation of the Workforce
Workforce readiness starts with helping young people develop the skills that employers value across every industry. Through Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s workforce programming, teens build communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and professional skills while gaining exposure to workplace environments and career opportunities.

National partners help bring these experiences to life by providing mentorship, career exposure and practical learning opportunities. As a founding supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Workforce Readiness program, The Coca-Cola Company provides real-world experiences that foster skill-building, career exploration and work-based learning opportunities that help close opportunity gaps and prepare young people for future careers.

Through hands-on activities that help Club youth develop competencies critical to success and focused programming, including emotional intelligence, communication, and reliability, Dollar Tree is empowering kids and teens to navigate challenges, build confidence and become valuable contributors to the workforce.

As a founding supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Life & Workforce Readiness strategy, Toyota helps young people build skills, explore careers and gain hands-on experiences that prepare them for their first job, expand economic mobility and open doors to future opportunities.

Through the brand’s signature opportunity program, This Way ONward, Old Navy opens doors to economic opportunity by partnering with community-based organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Caesars Foundation supports career exposure, workforce readiness and skills development opportunities that help teens prepare for success beyond graduation.

Jimmy John’s helps Club teens develop workforce-ready skills and credentials while creating opportunities to explore career pathways and connect with local franchisees, helping prepare them for their first jobs and future careers.

RSM US Foundation supports Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s workforce readiness efforts by helping youth build foundational career and life skills that are transferable across industries. Through employee engagement, career exposure and skills-based volunteer opportunities, RSM professionals help young people strengthen communication, teamwork, problem-solving, professionalism and confidence as they prepare for first jobs, future careers and long-term success.

Versant Media is helping prepare the next generation of talent by connecting Club teens to career pathways in media, sports and entertainment and providing hands-on experiences, including live events and behind-the-scenes access, that strengthen confidence, character and workforce readiness.

Advancing Opportunities for Teens in STEM and Innovation Careers

As STEM careers continue to grow, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is helping young people develop the critical thinking, problem-solving and technical skills needed to succeed in an increasingly innovation-driven economy. These experiences also help prepare teens for the jobs of the future, where adaptability, digital fluency and innovation are required in an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

The Gilead Foundation expands access to high-quality learning experiences that prepare Club youth for future educational and workforce pathways while helping build a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.

RTX helps Club teens strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on STEM experiences that create pathways into careers in science, technology and engineering.

For more than two decades, Comcast NBCUniversal has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to expand access to digital literacy and technology-focused learning opportunities. Through digital skills development, media-making experiences and career exploration, the partnership helps prepare youth for emerging workforce opportunities while supporting economic mobility.

NASCAR introduces Club youth to careers across the racing industry and STEM through events hosted at local Clubs, virtual experiences, and immersive at-track programming. These opportunities give teens direct access to professionals and exposure to the many career pathways within and beyond motorsports.

Lenovo and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have expanded access to technology, STEM learning, and career exploration opportunities for Club youth nationwide, from esports computers to hands-on, skill-building programs and events. This nearly decade-long partnership focuses on building meaningful pathways and empowering new generations to explore their passions and prepare for great futures.

Expanding Access to Skilled Trades and Professional Career Pathways

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to helping teens explore a variety of postsecondary pathways, including careers in skilled trades and professional fields that are critical to local communities and the broader economy. These pathways provide real-world opportunities and prepare teens for in-demand careers.

Through its recently launched Path to Pro grants program, The Home Depot Foundation is expanding access to skilled trades education and career pathways for Club teens. Grants of up to $10,000 help Clubs enhance workforce programming with tools, training and real-world learning experiences that prepare young people for high-demand careers.

Foley & Lardner LLP, the first law firm to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on a national scale, helps equip Club teens with the skills, confidence and professional connections needed to succeed through career exploration, mentorship and programs such as Street Law and the Summit for America’s Youth.

Together, these experiences help young people better understand the opportunities available to them after graduation and provide the support needed to pursue their goals with confidence.

Advancing a National Strategy for Workforce Readiness

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s leadership in Life & Workforce Readiness is fueled by transformational support that accelerates the national strategy to prepare young people for the future workforce. Together, these partnerships are scaling a comprehensive continuum of experiences, from early skill-building to real-world career pathways, that helps more youth succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.

Tom & Karen Falk have been leaders in Life & Workforce Readiness strategy, strengthening Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national strategy to ensure young people graduate prepared for work, life and leadership. Their most recent commitment supports the expansion of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Life & Workforce Readiness continuum, which embeds essential skill building, career exploration and work based learning experiences throughout a young person’s Club journey –beginning as early as age six. This investment accelerates the growth of high quality workforce programming nationwide, including the launch of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Incubator Model, which helps local Clubs build durable career pathways in high demand fields such as healthcare, technology and skilled trades. Through this support, more youth will graduate with the confidence, skills and real world experience needed to achieve economic mobility and long term success.

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz is making an intentional impact in Life & Workforce Readiness, advancing Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s strategy to prepare young people for lifelong success. Her support strengthens a continuum that begins with early skill and extends to immersive career exploration for teens. Through a national Summer Externship Opportunity, youth gain real-world exposure to careers in financial planning while building critical skills in communication, problem-solving and financial decision-making. Together, these efforts expand access to high-quality learning and career pathways, ensuring more young people graduate with the confidence, experience and skills needed to achieve economic mobility.

Through their catalytic partnership, Chuck & Helen Schwab have played a pivotal role in scaling Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Life & Workforce Readiness strategy. Their partnership addresses critical gaps in opportunity by expanding access to career-connected learning, essential skill development and real-world workforce experiences for youth across the country. By supporting programs that build durable skills, increase career visibility and connect teens to meaningful employment pathways, this commitment helps transform how young people prepare for their futures. It drives the expansion of workforce readiness programming that equips youth with the knowledge, credentials and hands-on experiences needed to navigate an evolving economy. Through this partnership, more young people, especially those facing systemic barriers, are gaining the skills, confidence and opportunities required to pursue meaningful careers, achieve economic mobility and realize their full potential.

To learn more about life and workforce readiness programs for teens and how to support youth career pathways, visit bgca.org/graduation.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.