Program creates summer jobs in Connecticut for youth

Posted on July 29, 2018

A burgeoning program is creating more summer jobs in Connecticut for youth.

Capital Workforce Partners announced that given the significant investments made by the State of Connecticut/Connecticut Department of Labor, the City of Hartford, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and American Savings Foundation that the 2018 Summer Youth Employment Learning Program will serve 1,300 participants in the Capital Region.

This is good news given that last year’s summer employment program saw a reduction in the number of young people served due to the state budget cuts.

The Summer Youth Employment Learning Program (SYELP) provides work-based learning experiences that contribute to youths’ future success in the workforce. The program provides career readiness development for youth between the ages of 14 and 24 through six-week summer jobs in high-demand sectors at several hundred worksites.

The program helps young people develop work-readiness and educational skills, such as time management, communications, and teamwork. It also helps youths build the confidence needed to work and communicate effectively in a professional environment as they prepare for life beyond high school.

The program also provides services to a number of Opportunity Youth residents in Hartford ages 16 through 24 who are disconnected from the education system and require both core competency training as well as educational support.

“Being a part of SYELP has helped me develop a sense of responsibility. It has also helped me open doors to other job opportunities this summer. I hope to get more job experience to build my resume,” said D. Moscow, an SYELP participant. SYELP is made possible through partnerships with several community-based organizations and employers in our region with support from the State of Connecticut Department of Labor, the City of Hartford, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, American Savings Foundation and other funders.