Innovative Summer Youth Program Opens Applications:

Innovative Summer Youth Program Opens Applications:

High-Schoolers Can Earn Money Exploring Region’s Career Paths

Orlando, Fla. — A new take on the teen summer “job” where they earn money by learning and planning their future career path? Yes, please!

Registration is now open for 2,000 Central Florida teens to participate in CareerSource Central Florida’s annual Summer Youth Program, which rewards teens with financial incentives as they explore the region’s various college experiences, training opportunities and internships in multiple high-growth industries.

All participating students have the opportunity to earn a minimum of $1,000 over the summer while they learn. Teens who live in Central Florida are eligible to apply if they meet the following requirements:

• Resident of Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole or Sumter County
• Able to work in the United States
• Valid and current identification
• Priority given to students from economically disadvantaged families

Enrollment is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Over the last few years, the annual Summer Youth Program has helped more than 4,000 Central Florida high-schoolers learn about the region’s high-growth industries and develop future career paths.

“There is no greater investment in our community than supporting a youth’s path toward future success,” said Mimi Coenen, who heads the program as the Chief Operations Officer of CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF). “Because this special program helps young adults reach their highest future potential, while still earning money for today, it’s a unique alternative to the traditional teen summer job. We are investing in their future success, which also lifts that of our region.”

As an added benefit for the community this year, CSCF is able to expand its reach by offering more scholarships to the program due to a new All-Star Sponsor, Walt Disney World Resort. Last year, the program served over 1,000 youth with an economic impact of $1.2 million in Central Florida, and this year’s goal is set at 2,000 participants. The Walt Disney World Resort’s commitment to the program’s success generates a long-term impact on the life of Central Florida young adults looking to explore and discover career paths this summer.

This year’s Summer Youth Program offers three career-readiness tracks dedicated to exploring participants’ interests and helping them to make informed decisions in the early stages of their career journeys.

• The Explore Track includes campus tours, classroom learning, and hands-on projects. Students gain exposure to multiple career pathways in high-growth industries while participating in four –five weeks of classroom training and hands-on projects.
• The Experience Track provides students with a paid internship with local businesses for up to five weeks with a new wage of $14/hr. Students receive training and mentorship from seasoned professionals and learn about team building, financial literacy, work readiness, and more.
• The Accelerate Track provides students with specialized training in various high-demand skills. Students receive exposure to certification programs in high-demand industries under the instruction of qualified professionals while earning stipends for industry certifications and technical milestones. This year’s programs include culinary, healthcare construction, logistics, information technology, and coding.

“I would describe my experience in the program as eye opening,” shared student Sean P., who participated in the Experience track. “The job has made a great impact on me because it introduced me to a real-life working environment since it was my first job.”

To apply, or learn more about CareerSource Central Florida’s Summer Youth Program, visit CareerSourceCentralFlorida.com/SummerYouth