Title
2025 Future Leaders Youth Town Hall - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Community Services and Education Subcommittee with an update and outcomes of the 2025 Future Leaders Town Hall.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
On October 24, the Youth and Education Office, in collaboration with Grand Canyon University, Phoenix Union High School District, and Arizona Town Hall, hosted the 2025 Future Leaders Youth Town Hall. Nearly 100 high school students participated in discussions centered on the theme “Building Youth Employment,” exploring both the opportunities and challenges they face in their communities. Students identified key strategies and action items to strengthen Phoenix’s workforce ecosystem. Their insights reflect a high level of engagement in workforce issues and a strong commitment to building a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for Arizona’s workforce.
Barriers Facing Youth and Emerging Workers
Students emphasized that early and expanded career awareness is essential to helping youth understand available career options and the steps required to pursue them. However, many young people encounter barriers entering the workforce. Employers frequently require prior experience, limiting access to entry-level positions for students who have not yet had the opportunity to gain workplace exposure. Additional barriers include limited access to healthcare, insufficient career education, and a lack of structured work-based learning opportunities.
Students recommended strategies such as expanding job-shadowing and internships, increasing wages for essential workers, and creating more flexible and remote work opportunities to help youth successfully transition into employment.
Opportunities for Public and Private Workforce Training
Students identified increased investment in education and workforce pathways as critical to meeting Arizona’s labor needs. Expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE), Achieving a College Education (ACE) programs, dual-credit options, and accessible scholarship opportunities would better prepare students for high-demand careers. They also expressed the need for clear, early guidance on job markets and employment trends.
Work-based learning, including internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, and employer-led engagement such as guest speakers and on-campus career events, was identified as a key connector between classroom learning and real-world employment. Students also emphasized the importance of targeted investments in under-resourced communities, particularly communities of color, to reduce disparities and ensure equitable access to opportunity.
Impact of Housing, Transportation, and Childcare
Students recognized that affordable housing, reliable transportation, and access to quality childcare significantly influence workforce participation. Affordable childcare enables parents to maintain stable employment, while rising housing and transportation costs limit where families can live and their ability to access job centers.
Students suggested that transforming vacant lots into affordable housing and expanding public transit and housing supports would help strengthen workforce stability. They also emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration to address these interconnected challenges.
Commitment to Action
In response to student feedback requesting greater access to real-world career exploration, mentorship, and job-shadow opportunities, the Youth and Education Office is proposing the implementation of “Students’ Day at City Hall: Pathways & Possibilities.” This event will provide Phoenix Union High School District students with hands-on exposure to high-demand career pathways connected to City of Phoenix departments, including Parks and Recreation, Library, Police, Fire, Human Services, Water Services, Aviation, and Community & Economic Development.
Students will participate in interactive career presentations, networking conversations, problem-solving activities tied to real City issues, and career-readiness supports. The goal is to expand awareness of career pathways, strengthen connections between youth and workforce opportunities, and inspire the next generation of public-service and industry leaders.
Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Youth and Education Office.