Workforce System Success Stories - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Highlights from 2024 Maryland Summer Youth Employment Programs

Local Workforce Areas across Maryland operated Summer Youth Employment Programs (SYEPs) in 2024. Here are highlights from Baltimore City, Howard County, and Carroll County!

Baltimore City’s YouthWorks Program

YouthWorks' mission is to collaborate with youth and employers to create meaningful paid employment opportunities that enhance youth job skills. This summer all 10,212 youth completed their YouthWorks application was offered a five-week summer work experience. Youth worked from July 8th until August 9th, earning $15 per hour for up to 25 hours per week. Of the over ten thousand youth offered a summer work experience, 9,553 youth worked across 747 employers and organizations throughout Baltimore City. Over 8,200 youth used the free MTA summer charmpass.

New Programs

This summer YouthWorks collaborated with two community-based organizations piloted programs that offered youth a chance to explore entrepreneurship and work in the music and entertainment industry.

The YouthWorks Entrepreneurship Academy (YEA) was facilitated by Bmore Empowered. Girls aged 16-21 were equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors and excel in the business world.
The YouthWorks Music Enrichment Program (Y-ME) was facilitated by Media Rhythm Institute. Youth explored the music and entertainment business while creating, producing, and cultivating their musical and artistic passions and talent.

As the culminating activity for both programs, youth participated in the Raven's Nest, a music showcase and pitch contest. YEA participants pitched their product to a panel of women entrepreneurs and the winners were gifted with mentoring sessions with women business owners in Baltimore City. Y-ME participants performed musical selections they created and produced during their camp.

Next-up: YouthWorks Year-Round 2024 – 2025

The YouthWorks year-round program will run in two sessions: the Fall 2024 session from Monday, September 16 to Friday, November 22, and the Spring 2025 session from Tuesday, January 21 to Friday, March 28. Almost 300 youth will have the opportunity to work across 49 worksites. Youth will earn $15 per hour and can work up to 12 hours per week for each 10-week session of year-round.

To learn more about Baltimore City’s YouthWorks program, contact Mayor’s Office of Employment Development Senior Program Manager Nadia Sims at Nadia.Sims@baltimorecity.gov.

Howard County Youth Employment Services

Howard County’s SYEP served 225 youth this year, offering unique programs focused on a variety of age groups.

Online and hybrid workforce readiness programs included the following:

The Jacaranda Center for Family and Youth Development led a group of 14-year-olds.
The Train, Grow, and Excel Academy was a hybrid program designed for 15-year-olds.
Multiple age groups participated in the Youthpreneur entrepreneurship hybrid program. Participating youth completed a Pitch Competition on August 8, 2024 at the SYEP Closing Ceremony. The youth presented on their business ideas and concepts for over 300 people attending the event.

The prizes were:
- 1st Place ($200) – Azaria Ross “She Do It All” Mobile Hair Care Specializing in accommodating working moms.
- 2nd Place ($125)– Cydnie Davis “Nails by Cyd” – Specialized in providing nail care services for moms and daughters.
- 3rd Place ($75) – David Osifeko – Z Shock – Specialized in professional clothing for men.
Youth who were 16-24-year-olds participated in the Workforce and You program led by staff with the Howard County Office of Workforce Development.

Youth who were 16 and over, were given the opportunity to gain direct work experience in positions with either a Howard County Government Department or within a local private business: Here are the organizations who supported summer youth employment opportunities in Howard County:

Chromebooks for Participants: Eligible youth were provided with Chromebooks through a state grant. We were able to give 150 Chromebooks to the youth in the program.

To learn more about Howard County’s Youth Employment Programs, contact Howard County Office of Workforce Development Youth Program Coordinator Jermira Sarratt at jesarratt@howardcountymd.gov.

Carroll County SYEP

Carroll County’s SYEP served 37 youth participants. Two college interns were hired to support the program, which ran from July 8 through August 16, with six participants extending their employment through to the beginning of the new school year. Fifteen local businesses stepped up to hire SYEP participants - and 87% increase from summer 2023!

Carroll Community College provided a half day of workforce readiness training each week of the program. Youth completed career interest surveys during the training, and participated in workshops on job success skills, resume development, mock interviews, and financial literacy. Youth attended industry panels with local business leaders, participated in a job fair, and toured the Admissions and Continuing Education Division of the college.

To learn more about Carroll County’s Youth Employment Programs, contact Carroll County Office of Workforce Development Youth Program Coordinator Eileen Vozzella at evozzella@carrollcountymd.gov.