Challenges that Disconnected Youth Face

We have focused this report on the elements that make successful video lessons for youth who enroll in work programs. However, for many disconnected youth there are very tangible barriers that prevent them from considering or making it to any type of job training program in the first place:

1. The perception of what it takes to work in Tech is out of sync with reality. Media focuses on Stanford and MIT graduates, which feels unattainable. Tech training programs need to convince youth that there are entry-level opportunities in Tech.
   
2. Navigating the mass of educational content on the internet is difficult and risky. They do not know how to choose the most reliable, or best. Programs that help youth find the trustworthy content can set them on a strong path even before they enter a classroom.
   
3. Taking time for education is often not practical or possible. Spending money on education is too much of a risk in a family that is struggling every day. Investment in education is unclear. There is a strong perception that online education is a scam, and a general mistrust of all education programs. They are often surrounded by stories of failure to succeed, after investing time and money in school.
   
4. Schools are not demonstrating alternate work pathways, especially for Tech jobs. The youth we met were unclear on what to do upon graduating high school.
   
5. While most youth have smart phones, there is a lack of reliable, high speed computers at home. Lessons can only teach so much on a phone before youth need to be hands-on to work on projects on a computer.
   
6. It can be intimidating to show up at an unfamiliar program to be challenged in new ways. Especially for youth who are struggling. Programs that connect to known places and trusted people will be most successful.