The Salisbury Rowan Community Action Agency is helping young people get their foot in the door in 2016.

Designed for young people ages 18-24, the program is for people who haven’t found their niche yet, Director of Career and Education Training Services Joann Diggs said.

“Maybe they decided to go to college and it didn’t work out,” she said, “maybe they’re standing at a crossroad trying to figure out, ‘Should I go to college or should I try and get a career?'”

Either way, “Jump Start Your Career” can help the next generation with a high school diploma or GED get relevant job experience. Jump Start Your Career matches applicants with an 8-10 week internship based on their desired career. The internships are with community partners, and allow applicants to get experience and training simultaneously.

The Community Action Agency will help train interns in first aid, OSHA and ServSafe if their internship or career requires it. They’ll also help them enroll in classes and programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College if the applicant has a desired field such as nursing.

Assessment testing is conducted on site, and education classes are available if an applicant falls behind on reading level. The Community Action Agency also offers GED classes on site. Applicants must be between the ages of 18-24, and acceptance is based on income. Interested persons should contact youth development specialists Shenita Russell or Debra Moncrief at 704-633-6633.

“There are some jobs out there, we just have to connect the right person to the right job,” Diggs said.