Let’s start wherever you are…
If you’re 18–28, live in Los Angeles or Orange County, and are looking for training, work experience, a job, or a clearer career path, Merge wants to help. We work with system-impacted and underserved young adults, including those transitioning from foster care, justice-impacted, or facing economic barriers. You do not need to have your career figured out before you reach out.
Meet with us
I’m a candidate looking for training, experience, employer connections, and support to take my next step.
Build your plan
There is no one-size-fits-all path. Together, we’ll look at your goals, experience, interests, and the opportunities available to determine what makes sense for you.
Get ready / get trained
You may already have some of the skills you need. Or you may need more preparation before you’re ready for the opportunity you want. That could mean resume help, mock interviews, communication and workplace preparation, certifications, hands-on training, or apprenticeship preparation.
Gain real experience
Sometimes the hardest part of getting a job is being able to show that you have experience. Merge can help you build real workplace experience through paid work opportunities, apprenticeships, hands-on learning, and other ways to put your skills into practice.
Connect with employers
We work directly with employers looking for talent. When you’re ready, we help connect you with opportunities that fit your skills, goals, and career direction.
Get hired
The goal is not simply to complete a class or earn a certification. The goal is to help you move into a real job or apprenticeship that can become the foundation of a sustainable career.
Keep moving forward
Getting the job is not the finish line. Merge stays involved after you are hired. We can help you work through challenges, adjust to your new workplace, communicate with your employer, grow in your role, and keep moving forward in your career.
Your path through Merge
There are different ways to move toward a career. What you need depends on where you are starting and where you want to go.
Career pathways [COURSE CONTENT TBD]
General construction
Electrical
Solar
Plumbing
HVAC
Get support along the way
Sometimes what stands between you and a job has nothing to do with whether you can do the work. Merge may be able to help with practical barriers such as transportation and other needs that can make it harder to get to training, an interview, or a new job. You will also have access to financial education and guidance to help you better manage your money as you begin earning and building your career. Programs such as Drive2Thrive are designed to help remove some of those barriers so you can keep moving forward.
And, again, all of this support is provided at no cost to you.
Real career journeys
See What’s Possible. Every person starts somewhere different. The young adults below came to Merge with different experiences, interests, and goals. What they share is that an opportunity, the right preparation, and someone staying in their corner helped them move forward.
Marcus, construction apprentice, Long Beach, CA
Before Merge: Brief description of where the candidate was in their career journey before connecting with Merge, without defining them by hardship or failure.
The Opportunity: How the candidate connected with Merge, what training, preparation, paid experience, or other support they received, and what helped them become ready for the next step.
The Career: Employer, role, placement, starting wage or wage growth where appropriate, and where they are today.
Still Moving Forward: How Merge remained involved after the hire and how the candidate continues to build skills, stability, earning potential, and career growth.
Candidate Perspective: Short candidate quote about the opportunity, career, or what Merge made possible
Employer Perspective: Short employer quote about the candidate, the experience working with Merge, and why the partnership works.
Merge didn’t just help me find a job. They helped me figure out who I wanted to be in my career, and they were still checking in six months later to make sure I was okay.
Marcus, construction apprentice, Long Beach, CA
Before Merge: Brief description of where the candidate was in their career journey before connecting with Merge, without defining them by hardship or failure.
The Opportunity: How the candidate connected with Merge, what training, preparation, paid experience, or other support they received, and what helped them become ready for the next step.
The Career: Employer, role, placement, starting wage or wage growth where appropriate, and where they are today.
Still Moving Forward: How Merge remained involved after the hire and how the candidate continues to build skills, stability, earning potential, and career growth.
Candidate Perspective: Short candidate quote about the opportunity, career, or what Merge made possible
Employer Perspective: Short employer quote about the candidate, the experience working with Merge, and why the partnership works.
Merge didn’t just help me find a job. They helped me figure out who I wanted to be in my career, and they were still checking in six months later to make sure I was okay.
What happens after you get hired?
Getting the Job Is Just the Beginning. Starting a new job can be exciting. It can also come with new expectations, challenges, and questions. You do not lose your support from Merge once you get hired. We continue working with you and your employer to help you adjust, stay on track, solve problems when they come up, grow your skills, and look toward what comes next.
Maybe the next step is succeeding in your first 90 days. Maybe it is earning more responsibility, increasing your pay, developing new skills, or moving toward the next level of your career. We want to help you get the job. We also want to help you succeed once you’re there and keep building from it.
Your questions
No. There is no cost to candidates to participate in Merge programs, training, career preparation, employer connections, or ongoing support.
No. You can come to Merge with different levels of experience. We’ll start by understanding where you are and what you may need to become ready for the next opportunity.
No. You do not need to have everything figured out before you contact us. Part of the process is helping you understand your options and identify a path that makes sense for you.
Merge primarily serves system-impacted and underserved young adults ages 18–28 across Los Angeles and Orange County.
It depends on the opportunity and what you need. Some candidates may need professional preparation or short-term training, while others may participate in more extensive hands-on or apprenticeship training.
Career opportunities vary based on current programs and employer needs and may include electrical, solar, plumbing, HVAC, general construction, apprenticeships, paid work experience, AI/technology, and other career pathways.
Yes. Paid work experience is one of the ways Merge can help eligible candidates gain real experience, build their résumé, and prepare for longer-term employment opportunities.
Merge works directly with employers and is focused on helping candidates move into real employment opportunities. Specific jobs depend on employer needs, candidate readiness, and available openings.
In some situations, yes. Merge works to help address practical barriers that can make it harder to participate in training, attend interviews, start a job, or stay employed. Available support can vary.
Training is one part of the process. Merge can help you gain experience, connect with employers, prepare for interviews, and move toward employment.
We stay involved. Merge continues supporting both you and your employer after you start working to help create long-term success and career growth.
Start by reaching out. We’ll talk with you about where you are, what you are looking for, and what the right next step may be.
Ready for the next step?
Remember, you don’t need to have everything figured out. You don’t need to know exactly what career you want. And you don’t have to pay to get started. Start with a conversation with us and let’s see what opportunity could be right for you.