TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey will spend $9 million on its Summer Youth Work Experience Program next summer and will open it to teenagers as young as 14, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced Nov. 5.
The funding is $1 million more than last year and comes from the governor’s first budget, according to the department. The program, which links paid summer jobs to community-based violence intervention, previously required participants to be at least 16. It now serves people ages 14 to 24.
“Paid summer work can open doors for young people and strengthen communities impacted by violence,” Sherrill said in the announcement.
Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis said, “For a young person, a summer job can change what feels possible.”
Since it began as a pilot in 2019, the program has served 11,779 young people, partnered with more than 500 worksites and invested more than $39 million, the department said.
Participants receive 160 to 200 hours of paid work, a stipend of up to $3,400, orientation and workforce training, and supportive services, according to the department. Applicants are encouraged to partner with organizations that focus on youth violence, recruitment includes justice-involved youth, and people receiving SNAP or TANF benefits get priority enrollment.
Local workforce development boards, New Jersey municipalities and previous program grantees may apply. The state will also provide training and technical assistance to grantees, the department said.
Key deadlines in the grant process: an information session Nov. 23; letters of intent due by noon Dec. 7; a mandatory virtual technical assistance workshop at 10 a.m. Dec. 8; and applications due by noon Dec. 21. Details are in the department’s notice of grant opportunity on its grants page.
This report is based on information from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Source: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, via InsiderNJ
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