Boston Expands Summer Youth Jobs Program with New Initiatives to Support Long-Term Workforce Preparedness

Strategic Insights -

The City of Boston has launched a robust expansion of its Summer Youth Jobs program, bolstered by increased funding support from Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The program will add two new features to support long-term workforce preparedness: a Learn and Earn Career Development Internship and an online resource guide on workers' rights. These initiatives aim to empower Boston's youth with skills, knowledge, and experiences that will benefit them throughout their careers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Summer Youth Jobs program has enrolled over 500 Boston youth in college-level coursework through the Learn and Earn Career Development Internship, which pays participants for engaging in classes that lay the foundation for a career pathway.
  • The online resource guide, compiled by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, provides valuable information for young workers on their rights to earned wages, workplace safety, and anti-discrimination laws.
  • The Mayor's Summer Jobs Program has invested an additional $4.1 million, bringing the total funding for Youth Engagement and Employment to $11.9 million.
  • The program partners with a host of private and nonprofit organizations to provide summer opportunities to Boston's youth.
  • The Learn and Earn internship offers 26 college-level courses through four local colleges, covering subjects such as business, communications, early childhood education, human services, social sciences, and technology.
  • The program pays participants an hourly wage of $12.75 for 25 hours per week, which includes class time, homework, group study sessions, and a job readiness and financial education curriculum.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 Boston youth are enrolled in the Learn and Earn Career Development Internship.
  • The program has invested an additional $4.1 million in funding, bringing the total to $11.9 million.
  • 26 college-level courses are available through the program, spanning various subjects.
  • The Community College of Boston offers courses in early childhood education.
  • 8,000 youth will be hired in summer jobs through the program.

Sources:

  • The City of Boston
  • Mayor Martin J. Walsh
  • Massachusetts Attorney General's Office
  • Department of Youth Engagement and Employment
  • Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
  • Bunker Hill Community College
  • Roxbury Community College
  • Urban College of Boston
  • Action for Boston Community Development
  • Boston Private Industry Council
  • John Hancock's MLK Scholars
  • Youth Options Unlimited