The Young Worker Leadership Academy (YWLA) is an all-expense paid, 3-day leadership training for teens on workplace safety, rights, and responsibilities.
YWLA’s mission is to build youth leaders and advocates for safe workplaces. The leadership academy introduces participants to service strategies (policy, education, media) and provides a forum for youth to plan service-learning projects for their schools and communities to promote positive, safe employment for youth.
How do I Apply?
The 2026 Young Worker Leadership Academy application cycle is currently closed. Please check back in Fall 2026 to apply for our Young Worker Leadership Academy in 2027!
Being part of the Young Worker Leadership Academy opened my eyes to how many young workers face unsafe conditions on the job. I learned that youth have the power to raise awareness and push for change, it really inspired me to speak up and help others do the same.“
Ishaan Kang, High School Student,
2025 YWLA Participant
Partners
The Young Worker Leadership Academy is a collaboration of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC), the University at California, Berkeley’s Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP), and the University of California, Los Angeles’ Labor Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Program. It is part of the statewide Worker Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education Program (WOSHTEP) administered by CHSWC.
