05/11/2026
CalHR is proud to partner with organizations like First Place for Youth to support young people who face systemic barriers on their path to stable careers.
In April, CalHR collaborated with First Place for Youth to deliver a three‑day virtual workshop introducing foster youth from seven counties to what it means to build a future in California state service. Many
participants entered the program facing different challenges:
• 64–68% were unemployed
• Over half had only a High School diploma or GED
• 61% were learning about for the first time
• 89% state they had never used the platform
By the end of the workshop, participant confidence in applying for state jobs rose from 21% to 79% — a nearly fourfold increase.
The data also highlights several other key successes:
• 86% requested interview preparation
• 79% learned about California state career options
• 71% gained immediately usable application tips
• 71% requested career exploration opportunities
• 64% improved their understanding of the CalCareers platform
Their words say it best:
“Nobody is really doing this—thank you.”
“I’ll be taking advantage of all the resources you shared.”
“This was very helpful and informative.”
The State of California remains committed to expanding pathways for marginalized and underserved communities, including foster youth, to explore, prepare for and thrive in state service. We look forward to continuing this work with our partners to open doors and build the next generation of our state workforce.
