At Nye Communities Coalition (NyE CC), the Workforce Program is undergoing a transformation—not just in name, but in reach, impact, and ambition. Now operating under the banner of EmployNV Career and Youth Hubs, the program—previously known by various names like Job Connect, Career Connections, and YouthWerks—is embracing a unified identity with a renewed sense of purpose. At the helm of this effort is Lori Metscher, Project Director of the Workforce Program, whose deep passion for mentoring and empowering the next generation is evident in every aspect of her work.
The program, which is powered by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), is built around a fundamental goal: helping youth and adults attain financial independence by removing barriers to employment. But as Metscher explains, this isn’t just about helping people find jobs—it’s about helping them build futures.
For the youth side of the program, “youth” doesn’t necessarily mean teens in the traditional sense. The demographic includes individuals aged 15 to 24, a critical period in life when young people are navigating high school, early employment, and the first steps of adulthood. One of the most important objectives, Metscher says, is educational attainment: “Our first and foremost goal is to get you your GED or your diploma if you don’t have them. That opens the doors to nearly every opportunity.”
Once educational benchmarks are met—or even while students are still working toward them—the program offers structured Work Experience placements, or “WEX,” with local businesses and agencies. These internships are typically paid, with the program covering wages and worker’s compensation insurance. The youth gain hands-on experience, while the employers get to test potential hires with no risk. “It’s like an extended working interview,” Metscher says, noting that many of these opportunities result in permanent jobs for participants.
The beauty of the WEX model is that it works for both sides: young people gain real-world experience—learning everything from punctuality and reliability to basic customer service and workplace conduct—and employers get to mold promising talent into future employees. Partnerships with businesses like Pahrump Family Medical, Spring Mountain Raceway, and Great Basin College have yielded repeated success stories.
Take Spring Mountain Raceway, for example. Youth interns might start with entry-level tasks like washing high-end cars, but those who demonstrate potential are often trained into higher-level roles. “They look at the individual and say, ‘This person might be better suited here,’ and then they begin training them into that position. By the time their WEX ends, they’re ready to be hired and move forward,” Metscher explains.
At Pahrump Family Medical, multiple youth interns have successfully transitioned from internships to employment, many while continuing their education to pursue careers in nursing. Others have found their place at Great Basin College, working their way into staff positions while being immersed in the college environment, which often inspires them to pursue higher education.
The program is, at its core, about preparing youth for real life—something Metscher and her team understand deeply. Every participant is paired with a career coach who provides one-on-one mentorship. These coaches help them stay on track with their education, manage their internships, and understand the realities of adulthood, like financial responsibility and work-life balance. “Your birthday on Friday doesn’t take precedence over your shift from 8 to 5,” Metscher says with a smile. “Learning that lesson is part of growing up—and our coaches help with that.”
Beyond mentoring, the program is actively expanding its educational offerings. Youth have access to workshops and training through platforms like Coursera, which offers free job-readiness courses to Nevada residents. There’s also a push to introduce financial literacy classes and digital skills training—including Microsoft Excel and Office basics—to better equip participants for today’s workforce.
One of the unique challenges Metscher sees is simply reaching young people. Unlike other age groups, it’s harder to market directly to them. “You can’t exactly put a big sign in a high school hallway,” she explains. So the program relies heavily on community partners—school counselors, juvenile probation, Nevada Outreach, and others—to refer youth. Even word-of-mouth plays a major role, often from adults in the workforce program who know a young person who could benefit.
Participation hinges on eligibility, and while WIOA has specific requirements—there are many options to qualify~visit the office to find out more information—Metscher is careful to emphasize that potential participants shouldn’t self-disqualify. “Don’t let the list of barriers intimidate you,” she says. “Just come in. We will work as hard as we can to get you eligible.”
When it comes to challenges, accountability is often the biggest hurdle. Many youth entering the program have never had to follow strict work schedules or manage professional responsibilities. “School gives you a lot of second chances,” Metscher notes. “Real life doesn’t always work that way.” But even when youth stumble, the program is built to offer grace and guidance. “If they’re not ready, we don’t just give up—we talk with them, reassess, and figure out what will help them grow until they are ready.”
The program also recognizes that not every youth aspires to a traditional office job. Some prefer hands-on work, but liability issues and age restrictions often make it difficult to place minors in fields like mechanics or skilled trades. “We’ve been trying to find a local mechanic who could take youth, but many won’t even consider it unless the youth is over 18,” Metscher explains. “Even though we provide insurance, some employers are bound by internal policies or industry standards.”
Still, the team is working to expand the variety of opportunities available. From placements at the coalition itself (which teaches general workplace soft skills), to WEXs with mortgage companies, animal shelters, or even within the Nye County School District, the program is committed to opening as many doors as possible. And while the ideal is always a job offer at the end of a WEX, that’s not the only measure of success. Sometimes, it’s about the experience—something to put on a resume, a foot in the door, or a lesson in what kind of work isn’t the right fit.
The Workforce Program is funded by WIOA and administered through Southern Nevada Workforce Connections, which oversees the southern half of the state. Although the program operates countywide, many of the most active partnerships are centered in Pahrump. For local businesses interested in hosting a youth intern or exploring on-the-job training partnerships, the process starts with a conversation. Metscher or Job Developer Ed Kelly can help assess if a business is a good match and clarify expectations. “We don’t just throw a youth at you,” Metscher says. “You have to want to be part of this process, and we try to find the right fit.”
Looking ahead, the program has big plans. Goals for the coming year include increased youth enrollment, new educational offerings, and a broader range of internship options. The coalition is also working to strengthen its financial literacy and computer skills training, recognizing that these tools are foundational in almost every career.
And while the program is clearly changing lives, perhaps the biggest takeaway from speaking with Metscher is that the mission goes far beyond employment. It’s about creating a supportive community, one where young people are seen, guided, and given the tools to succeed—whether their dream is to be a nurse, a raceway technician, or something entirely their own.
NyE Communities Coalition has a new theme, and it’s one that captures the heart of the Workforce Program: #PoweredByPeople. It’s not just a slogan—it’s a promise. From career coaches to employers, every person involved is there to empower others. And that’s something Lori Metscher and her team do every single day.
