Find the right program
Every young adult starts in a different place. Some need professional preparation, or simply need an immediate opportunity. Others need hands-on training, paid experience, a credential, an apprenticeship, or help overcoming a practical barrier. Merge programs are designed to meet participants where they are and connect them to the next step.
Explore careers before choosing a path
Career exploration helps young adults better understand industries and occupations before committing to a training or career pathway. Merge may use immersive tools, including virtual reality career exploration, to help participants experience different work environments, understand job roles, and identify paths that match their interests. Merge uses Transfr VR to help young adults explore different careers and work environments before choosing a pathway that fits their interests and goals.
IGNITE
IGNITE is Merge’s umbrella for four workforce pathways: WEX (Work Experience), Workforce EDGE, BRIDGE, and MAP (Skilled Trades & Apprenticeships). Each offers a different combination of preparation, experience, training, and support to help young adults move toward sustainable employment. Our team helps participants find the pathway that fits their goals and current needs.
Each track is designed to meet participants at a different point in their workforce journey.
WEX: Work experience
Get paid. Gain experience. Build your next step.
WEX gives young adults paid, hands-on work experience to build workplace skills, confidence, and professional connections. Alongside the work experience, Merge provides career preparation, coaching, and support to help participants move toward longer-term employment.
Who it’s for
Young adults who want practical work experience and an opportunity to explore a career direction.
What participants receive
Merge works with local workforce boards and community partners to recruit and refer eligible participants. Eligibility and available opportunities depend on the specific cohort.
AI WEX Cohort
Paid work experience focused on AI and the changing workplace.
The AI WEX cohort is a specialized opportunity within Merge’s Work Experience program. Participants gain paid experience while learning how AI tools can be used in the workplace, alongside professional development, coaching, and support.
What participants gain
The cohort helps young adults build confidence with technology and prepare for a workplace where AI is becoming part of everyday tasks.
Workforce EDGE
Comprehensive career preparation and employer connections
Workforce EDGE is Merge’s structured, long-term workforce development program. Through professional development training, individualized career planning, and access to Merge employer partners. Participants build the skills, confidence, and preparation needed to move toward sustainable employment.
Program commitment
Workforce EDGE involves a minimum one-year engagement with Merge, allowing participants to work toward their career goals with consistent guidance and support.
Participants sign an Accountability Agreement outlining participation expectations, their responsibilities, and Merge’s commitment to supporting them.
What participants receive
Once participants are hired, they transition into LEAD, where Merge continues supporting them with retaining employment, navigating workplace challenges, and growing in their careers.
BRIDGE
Flexible career assistance during office hours
BRIDGE offers focused assistance during Merge’s designated office hours. Participants can get help building or updating a resume, practicing through mock interviews, and planning their next career step.
BRIDGE provides a flexible way to access career-preparation assistance without the comprehensive programming and minimum one-year engagement of Workforce EDGE.
The cohort helps young adults build confidence with technology and prepare for a workplace where AI is becoming part of everyday tasks.
Which pathway fits you best?
Workforce EDGE
BRIDGE
Participants can move between Workforce EDGE and BRIDGE as their goals, circumstances, and support needs change. You don’t need to decide on your own.
Our team can help you find the right starting point.
MAP: Skilled trades & apprenticeship pathway
Build skills for a career in the trades
MAP helps young adults explore and prepare for skilled-trades careers through technical training, hands-on experience, credentials, and employer connections. Merge also helps participants connect with apprenticeship and employment opportunities and provides support as they move into the workforce.
Career areas
Depending on available training and employer opportunities, participants may prepare for careers in:
Training and credentials
Training varies by opportunity and may include OSHA 30 safety training, trade-specific instruction, and relevant certifications. SkillCat provides access to online learning that can support technical skill development and career preparation.
Apprenticeship opportunities
Merge helps participants understand apprenticeship options and prepare to connect with employers and available Registered Apprenticeship opportunities
Women in construction
Women in Construction is a focused opportunity within MAP that helps women explore and prepare for construction and related skilled-trades careers through training, career exposure, and employer connections.
Career preparation and employment support
Participants receive career preparation, guidance, and help connecting with employment opportunities, with continued support after hire.
LEAD
Support beyond getting the job
Once participants are hired, they transition into LEAD, Merge’s post-placement support program. There is no need to start over or enroll in a separate program. Merge stays connected to help participants retain employment, navigate workplace challenges, and continue growing in their careers.
Support may include
Getting hired is an important milestone. Through LEAD, participants have continued support as they build stability and work toward their next career goal.
Support along the way
Practical support throughout your career journey
Transportation, workplace needs, and other everyday challenges can make it harder to participate in training or keep a job. Merge helps participants access support and community resources as those needs arise, from career exploration through employment.
Drive2Thrive
Reliable transportation can make the difference between getting a job and being able to keep it. Drive2Thrive connects donated vehicles with eligible Merge participants who need transportation to reach training, interviews, and work. Access to a vehicle can open up job opportunities beyond public transit routes and help participants build greater independence and stability. Vehicle availability and participant eligibility determine access to the program.
Additional support
Depending on individual needs and available resources, Merge may provide assistance or referrals for workplace essentials, financial education, and other practical barriers to employment. Talk with the Merge team about what you need. Support is available throughout your journey, rather than only at a particular program stage.
For workforce boards, employers
& referral partners
Looking to refer participants or partner with Merge?
Merge works with partners across Los Angeles and Orange Counties to connect young adults with career preparation, training, work experience, and employment.
Workforce boards
Partner with Merge to connect eligible young adults with paid work experience, career preparation, training, and employment opportunities. We work with workforce boards to support participant referrals and develop opportunities that respond to local workforce needs.
Contact our programs team to discuss WEX partnerships, cohort opportunities, eligibility, and referral coordination
Referral partners
Help a young adult connect with the preparation and support they need to move toward employment. Merge works with schools, community organizations, nonprofits, reentry programs, and foster-youth organizations.
Our team helps identify the pathway that fits each participant’s goals and current needs, whether that means career exploration, paid experience, skilled-trades training, or flexible career support.
Employers
Build your workforce while helping young adults gain experience and launch careers. Partner with Merge to hire talent, host paid work experience, offer apprenticeships, provide workplace tours, or mentor participants.
We also collaborate with employers, training providers, workforce agencies, and funders to develop training and specialized cohorts that respond to workforce needs. Examples include Port Pathways and industry-specific opportunities.
Train-to-retain
Support your employees beyond the hire. Train-to-Retain helps employers strengthen retention through continued support for employees and guidance on challenges that can affect workplace success.
Connect with Merge to discuss your team’s needs and how ongoing support can help employees succeed and grow.
Program questions
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Find the right opportunity
Whether you are looking for a program, referring a young adult, hiring talent, or exploring a workforce partnership, we can help you find the right next step.