Employment & education resources for New Orleans families
Explore job training, GED programs, youth enrichment, and workforce support services—many free or low-cost for families and individuals
Why employment & education access matters
For many families, gaining access to stable employment or completing a degree or GED can transform long-term outcomes. New Orleans offers dozens of community programs designed to support job seekers, students, and families—especially those on Medicaid, SNAP, or with limited access to traditional schooling.
Key Benefits:
Workforce Readiness: Job training and placement support prepare adults and youth for sustainable careers.
Education Support: From GED to youth development programs, education builds long-term self-sufficiency.
Whole-Family Empowerment: Wraparound services such as housing, mental health, and financial literacy help break down barriers.
Where to find workforce development & job training
Many dental clinics offer Medicaid-covered, sliding scale, and emergency services. Below are trusted providers offering affordable dental care for children, adults, and seniors.
Here are trusted job training and career programs available in New Orleans:
City of New Orleans Workforce Development
📍 3400 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
📞 504-658-4500
🌐 www.nola.gov/economic-development/workforce-development/job1
💡 Job1 program provides federally funded employment and training services.
🌍 Spanish spoken
Cafe Reconcile Youth Hospitality Training Program
📍 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113
📞 (504) 568-1157
🌐 www.cafereconcile.org
💡 Paid 8-week job training program for youth ages 16–24, includes meals, stipends, and life skills coaching.
🌍 Spanish not spoken
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
📍 9801 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
📞 504-272-0956
🌐 www.dscej.org
💡 Offers environmental and safety job training with job placement support.
🌍 Spanish spoken
Operation Spark
📍 514 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117
📞 504-534-8277
💡 Free tech training programs in software development.
🌍 Spanish not spoken
Unemployment Insurance / LA Workforce Commission
📞 866-783-5567
🌐 www.laworks.net
💡 Apply for unemployment, job training, and labor law information.
🌍 Spanish language line available
East Jefferson Business & Career Solutions Center
📍 1801 Airline Drive, Suite A, Metairie, LA 70001
📞 504-838-5678
💡 Career counseling, job application assistance, job training programs, and employment support.
🌍 Language Support: Not specified
Jefferson Parish Workforce Connection
📍 Westbank: 1900 Lafayette St, Suite 1, Gretna, LA 70053
📍 Eastbank: 1801 Airline Dr, Suite F, Metairie, LA 70001
🌐 www.jeffparish.net/departments/workforce-connection
💡 Job training, computer access, resume help, and vocational school connections (some via Delgado).
🌍 Language Support: Spanish spoken at Eastbank location only
SNAP Employment & Training Program
📞 1-888-524-3578
🌐 dcfs.louisiana.gov
💡 Offers job search, retention training, and reimbursement for work-related costs (e.g. housing, childcare, tools) for SNAP recipients.
🌍 Language Support: Not specified
Community-based youth & family education programs
Programs offering academic, vocational, and personal development for youth, families, and adults:
New Orleans Job Corps
📍 Virtual & phone appointments available
📞 (504) 484-3501
🌐 www.neworleans.jobcorps.gov
💡 Offers GED, social skills, and job training for ages 16–24.
🌍 Spanish not spoken
Liberty’s Kitchen
📍 300 N Broad, New Orleans, LA 70119
📞 504-822-4011
🌐 www.libertyskitchen.org
💡 Case management, job placement, and life skills for youth.
🌍 Spanish not spoken
The Reengagement Center (New Orleans Youth Alliance)
📞 504-249-5130 x1800
🌐 www.neworleansyouthalliance.org/reengagement-center
💡 Connects 16–24 year olds to job training and education.
🌍 Spanish not spoken
Urban League of Louisiana
📍 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., Suite 140, New Orleans, LA 70119
📞 504-324-4444
🌐 urbanleaguela.org
💡 Offers career coaching, workforce placement, and job board.
🌍 Spanish not spoken
Agenda for Children
📍 8300 Earhart Blvd., Suite 201, New Orleans, LA 70118
📞 504-586-8509
🌐 www.agendaforchildren.org
💡 Child care resource & referral services, parent counseling, and training for providers.
🌍 Language Support: Spanish spoken
BreakOUT!
📍 4327 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
📞 504-252-9025
🌐 www.youthbreakout.org
💡 Organizing and leadership programs for LGBTQ youth (13–24), GED referrals, and legal support.
🌍 Language Support: Not spoken
Clover New Orleans (formerly Kingsley House)
📍 1600 Constance St. and 1401 Saint Denis St., New Orleans
📞 504-523-6221
🌐 www.clovernola.org
💡 Services include early childhood education, adult daycare, tax prep, and workforce development.
🌍 Language Support: Spanish spoken
Grow Dat Youth Farm
📍 150 Zachary Taylor Dr., New Orleans (City Park)
📞 504-300-1132
🌐 www.growdatyouthfarm.org
💡 Urban agriculture leadership program for high schoolers.
🌍 Language Support: Not specified
Kedila Family Learning Services
📍 1922 S Salcedo St., New Orleans, LA 70125
📞 504-723-8831
🌐 www.kedila.org
💡 GED, culinary/hospitality, and construction training for ages 18–24; youth camps.
🌍 Language Support: Not spoken
YEP (Youth Empowerment Project)
📍 1604 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd & 1111 Newton St., New Orleans
📞 Eastbank: 504-658-9221; Westbank: 504-658-4577
🌐 www.youthempowermentproject.org
💡 GED and literacy education for youth and adults 16+.
🌍 Language Support: Not spoken
VAYLA (Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association)
📍 13235 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans
📞 504-264-2452
🌐 www.vayla-no.org
💡 Offers environmental, reproductive justice, and civic engagement education.
🌍 Language Support: Spanish and Vietnamese
Urban Impact Ministries
📍 2323 Galvez St., New Orleans, LA 70125
📞 504-523-5556
🌐 www.urbanimpact.org
💡 Afterschool, summer programs, and homework help for youth.
🌍 Language Support: Not spoken
Frequently asked questions
1. Where can I find free job training programs in New Orleans?
You can find free job training programs through organizations like JOB1, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Operation Spark, and Liberty’s Kitchen. Many of these programs are open to youth, adults, and returning job seekers.
2. Are there education programs for young adults who didn’t finish high school?
Yes. The Reengagement Center, Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), and Kedila Family Learning Services all offer GED prep, HiSET testing, and academic support for disconnected youth and young adults.
3. Does New Orleans offer any programs for formerly incarcerated or at-risk youth?
Yes. BreakOUT!, START Drop-In Center, and The Reengagement Center provide tailored services for justice-involved youth, including counseling, training, and support groups.
5. What if I don’t have access to a computer or internet for job searches?
Several workforce centers, including the Jefferson Parish Workforce Connection and the East Jefferson Career Center, provide walk-in computer access, resume help, and job search tools. These services are free to the public.
6. How can I find free or low-cost job support if I receive SNAP benefits?
SNAP recipients are eligible for the Employment & Training program, which offers job coaching, financial support for work-related needs, and skill-building classes.