Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

Growing Our Local Economy

"Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma, and yet just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation, and half of the students who begin college never finish... So tonight I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be a community college or a four-year school, vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma."
- President Barack Obama, February 2009

The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Santa Cruz County and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE) are working together to assist the youth of Santa Cruz County in meeting President Obama’s challenge through the expeditious implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Workforce Investment funds for youth. For over 8 years the WIB, SCCOE, local school districts and various other community agencies have partnered to provide essential employability, career development and post-secondary education/training opportunities to Santa Cruz County youth.

With the authorization of President Obama’s economic stimulus package, we are once again building on our successful track record of providing essential employability services to the neediest populations of our community.

The focus of the Recovery Act funds are in the development of Summer Youth Employment opportunities focused on local high demand occupations and green careers. All participants will receive a summer job aligned with their interests and a certification of work readiness for future employability. We anticipate providing summer employment to 300 – 400 youth ages 14 – 24 during both the 2009 and 2010 summer months, as well as other WIA supported activities year round through September 2010.

“The summer youth employment program is a terrific opportunity for young people to receive meaningful work, and life experience, while contributing to the community, earning income, and potentially even being exposed to a possible career pathway. Employers receive the benefits of entry-level workers, while not increasing their payroll, and they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are too, contributing something valuable to the greater community. I challenge employers to get involved and hire at least one young person for the summer.”
- Ron Slack, Chair Workforce Investment Board, Publisher/Good Times, March 27, 2009

“The Workforce Investment Board is very excited to bring back the summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to Santa Cruz County. WIA Youth Services of the County Office of Education (COE) will operate the summer youth employment program. We anticipate that many young people will benefit from working, the experience, the pay !!!, and the mentoring in job skills and life skills. This is a great opportunity for our business community to help our young people work and learn. We encourage business and public agencies to call the COE Youth Program and agree to mentor and train a fully paid young person (age 14-24) this summer.”
- David Lundberg, Acting Director Workforce Investment Board, March 27, 2009

The SYEP is funded by the federal stimulus ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds coming to the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Santa Cruz County. For information on employment and training services for job seekers and laid-off workers visit the Career Center.

We have received overwhelming response to the Summer Youth Employment Program. Over 800 youth have registered online and are currently being screened to meet Workforce Investment Act eligibility criteria. The Summer 2009 program is currently closed to youth applicants. However, if you are interested in learning more about the program for next summer or the year round component, contact the SYEP Work Experience Specialist at (831) 466-4709 or FAX (831) 466-5712 or email your questions to summeryep@santacruz.k12.ca.us. You can also check out the website for updates.

Employer applications are still being accepted. We are especially looking for private sector businesses working with green careers, medical, clerical. or technology professions. Employers interested in hiring youth can register online.

Read the Good Times Weekly article on SYEP. Visit local tv station KSBW for more information about SYEP here and here.

For more information see the Summer Youth Employment Program website.