Our program, Travis County SYEP information:
Our Goal
We are committed to guiding young individuals from diverse backgrounds to become professionals who not only lead self-sufficient, safe, and healthy lives but also actively contribute to the growth and sustainability of their communities. Our approach encompasses:
Work Experience: Providing meaningful employment opportunities that foster real-world skills and career development.
Skill Development: Cultivating essential work and life skills to pave the way for future success.
Community Engagement: Encouraging active participation in local communities, instilling the value of service and civic responsibility.
Through these pillars, we aim to nurture a new generation of professionals who are well-prepared to face challenges and make significant contributions to society.
What We Do
Fostering Summer Employment Opportunities: Our mission is to ignite the career potential of young individuals in Travis County during the summer months. We accomplish this through:
Personalized Career Training: Offering tailored training programs to help youth discover and develop their unique skills and talents, preparing them for the workforce.
Summer Jobs: Providing meaningful, paid summer employment opportunities in a variety of industries, giving hands-on experience and a taste of real-world work environments.
Our approach is designed to open the door to future career paths and equip every young person with the tools and support they need for success, both now and in their future careers.
Who We Serve
Our program welcomes youth aged 14-17 who live and/or attend school in Travis County. Additionally, we are open to young individuals with disabilities, offering them opportunities to participate up to the age of 22.
Program Requirements
Residency and School Enrollment: Must reside and/or attend school in Travis County.
Age Requirement: Must be 14 years old by April 1 of the applicable year.
Proof of Current School Enrollment and Attendance: Present a valid Student ID or a current Report Card.
Identification: Provide a Social Security Card.
Career Readiness Training: Complete the required Career Readiness Training.
Full Session Commitment: Must commit to completing the entire 7-week session.
Application Deadline: Please submit the completed application by March 29, 2024. Early submissions are highly encouraged.
Program Highlights
A Leap Forward in 2023: The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) achieved significant growth in 2023. Raising hourly wages to $13 resulted in unprecedented enthusiasm and a record 731 internships, surpassing the previous year by 145. These opportunities spanned various sectors including Community Development, Construction and Trades, Education, Government, Healthcare, IT, and Criminal Justice, and were available in in-person, remote, and hybrid formats.
Refocusing on In-Person Opportunities in 2024: As we move into 2024, the SYEP is returning to exclusively offering in-person employment opportunities. While we will no longer provide 100% remote positions, some roles may include a hybrid component. However, these hybrid opportunities are not guaranteed. This shift reflects our commitment to fully immersing participants in a real-world work environment, maximizing their hands-on experience and learning.
THE PROJECT-
Locate research on the positive impact of programs like ours nationwide. Seek evidence-based data that illustrates the significance of such programs in various areas, including reducing youth incarceration rates, improving school/test performance, increasing high school graduation rates, and fostering enrollment in post-high school education programs, apprenticeships, etc. Any findings directly linking participation in Work-Based Learning/Summer Youth Employment Programs to these outcomes would be helpful. We aim to utilize this information in future marketing and presentation materials to appeal to families, educators, and employers.
