WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health today announced a new collaboration with Job Corps, the largest free residential education and job training program for young adults.

“As the skills gap in the U.S. widens, CVS Health recognizes the important role externships, which offer on-the-job training with classroom instruction, play in building a pipeline of future skilled talent,” said David Casey, the company’s vice president of workforce strategies, and chief diversity officer. “By working with Job Corps, we are able to provide traditionally underserved groups with opportunities for employment at CVS Pharmacy, as well as help build a talented and diverse workforce for our company.”

Through the new partnership, Job Corps will place students at local CVS Pharmacy locations to learn directly from pharmacists and operations leaders. Students who successfully complete the training will be eligible to apply for a job at CVS Pharmacy. Participating Job Corps campuses, which are operated by Odle Management Group LLC , are in Long Beach , Calif.;Monroe, Va.;St. Petersburg, Fla. and Tulsa,  Okla.  A pilot program will launch this summer at the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center.

“CVS Health and Odle have created an outstanding program for young people determined to prove themselves in the workforce while developing important career skills,” said Earl Pomeroy, former member of Congress and National Job Corps Association board member. “Together, the two organizations are developing job training classes and on-the-job intern experiences specifically designed to provide life-changing career skills and opportunities to young people from communities with high unemployment and limited opportunities.”

“By working with Job Corps to provide students with opportunities ranging from pharmaceutical retail to pharmacy technicians, underserved youth have a fighting chance to end intergenerational poverty and have careers with meaningful opportunities for advancement. This exciting undertaking represents Job Corps at its best,” added Pomeroy.

Job Corps students that are approximately three-quarters of the way through their career training are required to complete work-based learning or an externship with a local employer to gain work experience.

Odle president and CEO Lisa Odle said, “The partnership with CVS Health is a natural fit for Odle and our participating Job Corps campuses. Both CVS and Odle have a shared and like-minded passion to educate young people and put them on a path to a successful career.”

Over the past two decades, CVS and Job Corps have partnered on several workforce initiatives that have helped fill entry level roles with strong talent, with many individuals advancing to pharmacist and management positions within the company.

The expanded relationship with Job Corps is part of the myCVS Journey Pathways to Health Care Careers that introduces students of all ages to career opportunities in health care. The STEM-enriched program is designed to engage young people (aged 5-24) in age-appropriate awareness, exploration, and preparation for careers at CVS Health in pharmacy, professional management, nursing and IT.