The U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) awarded approximately $21,000,000 in grant funds in 2016 to eleven local workforce boards to fund Career Pathways for Youth (CPY) Summer Jobs & Beyond grants.  These grants focused on linking existing summer employment programs with re-engagement centers (where they exist), employers, and other community partners to align resources, and assist youth in preparing for successful entry into the workforce.  

The goal was to strengthen the alignment of partnerships under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, encourage collaboration, and expand the capacity of local workforce boards to serve youth entering the workforce in their local communities.  The program served youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24, with limited or no work experience, through a comprehensive model. 

Youth received the following services: subsidized and unsubsidized work experience opportunities, individual service strategies or comparable learning plans, assessments, work readiness training, financial literacy training, career exploration, case management, mentoring, and supportive services.

Through these demonstration grants, the Department has learned how the workforce system, local education agencies, and re-engagement centers can work more effectively to reach youth and assist them in obtaining summer into year-round employment.

Below are completed one-pagers from each grant, highlighting their successes and strategies. 

• Chicago, IL: Beyond Summer Jobs
• Hartford, CT: The Promise Zone YES! Project
• Detroit, MI: Grow Detroit’s Young Talent
• Indianapolis, IN: Youth Works Indy
• Tribal counties in California, Illinois, and Iowa: The Summer Youth Career Pathways Project
• Santa Maria, CA: Santa Maria Summer Jobs & Beyond
• Portland, OR: The Pathways to Sector Employment for Youth Project
• Philadelphia, PA: PA CareerLink® Philadelphia: Youth & Young Adult Opportunity Hub (YOH/theHub)
• Utica, NY: The New Americans Career Pathways Project
• Milwaukee, WI: The Milwaukee Career Plus
• Franklin Hampshire Region, MA: Franklin Hampshire Summer Jobs and Beyond

We will add more to the list each month.