By Meg Olberding
SEATTLE (August 15, 2019) – The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP), sponsored by the Seattle Human Services Department, announces the launch of a new year-round pre-employment program to support 200 youth and young adults in growing as community leaders and preparing for future work and career opportunities. This is an expansion to the current summer-only SYEP internship program. The new model will provide job-readiness skills, career navigation, exploration, and skill-building through job readiness workshops, employer site visits, and professional networking opportunities. The skills and knowledge gained in the year-round program, along with SYEP support services, will prepare participants for success in their summer internships.
The year-round model will run from October 2019 to August 2020. Beginning in October, participants will attend weekly sessions and career discovery days, and participate in team activities, skills workshops, one-on-one coaching and support services, and assessments. Participants will earn a maximum stipend of $300 per module. Those who complete the series will have a guaranteed 150-hour internship that pays $16 per hour in the summer of 2020.
- Commit to a year-round program with weekday and some weekend activities;
- Live within Seattle city limits;
- Be between the ages of 16‒24 years old by start of program; and have
- Household income at or below 80% of the 2019 HUD median income for Seattle/King County.
For more information, guidelines, and the application, please visit www.seattle.gov/syep.
