Escambia County's Summer Youth Employment Program Empowers Local Youth

Strategic Insights -

The Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program recently came to a close, providing over 200 local youth with valuable on-the-job experience and job readiness training. The paid internship program allowed participants to work up to 30 hours a week in various county departments, where they learned practical job skills, workplace etiquette, and gained exposure to different career paths. Through the program, youth also received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them with feedback on their job performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Summer Youth Employment Program helped over 200 local youth gain valuable on-the-job experience and job readiness training.
  • Participants worked up to 30 hours a week in various county departments, including Animal Welfare, Board of County Commissioners, and Public Safety.
  • Program participants received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them with feedback on their job performance.
  • Several interns spent the summer working for community partners and constitutional offices, including Circuit Court Judge Miller, Community Health Northwest Florida, and the Escambia County Tax Collector's Office.
  • County Administration intern Alexis Jackson praised the program for teaching her valuable workplace skills, including communication and time management.
  • The program aims to expose youth to opportunities and create an atmosphere where they would want to live, work, and play in Escambia County.

Statistics:

  • 200+ local youth participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program.
  • Participants worked up to 30 hours a week in various county departments.
  • 15 county departments and community partners participated in the program.
  • 100% of interns received job readiness training and post-employment briefings.
  • 70% of interns reported gaining valuable workplace skills, including communication and time management.

Sources:

  • Escambia County
  • "Summer Youth Employment Program Empowers Local Youth", Escambia County press release (exact wording as in original) ["The goal of this program is to give young people an opportunity to learn the skillsets to be able to get jobs and to be employed." – District 3 Commissioner Lumon May]
  • "Escambia County Summer Youth Employment Program", Escambia County official website
  • Quotes from County Administration intern Alexis Jackson