The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August. Participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced a record 100,000 youth employment opportunities this summer, which he said is being made possible in part due to a $79 million investment that will be made in the mayor’s upcoming fiscal year 2023 preliminary budget.
“Young people in this city should have the opportunity to work or learn this summer, and this historic investment will help secure a better future for tens of thousands while helping to make our city safer,” said Adams. “We owe it to our children to give them every opportunity to thrive, and this expansion will do just that.”
How to Apply to the Summer Youth Employment Program
Applications for SYEP CareerReady and Special Initiatives tracks opened on Feb. 14, and the general community-based application period for all youth opens on March 1. The CareerReady track is designed for students between the ages of 14 and 21 from select DOE schools, while the Special Initiatives track offers tailored opportunities for youth ages 14-24 who are:
- Residents of select New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments;
- Homeless or have run away;
- Justice- or court-involved;
- In foster care;
- Receiving preventative services through the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS);
- New York City Human Resources Administration participants receiving Cash Assistance via Business Link;
- Students from Access and alternative schools; or
- Have experienced gender-based violence.
SYEP provides participants with paid opportunities to explore potential career interests and pathways, allowing participants to engage in learning experiences that help develop their professional, social, civic, and leadership skills.
“This effort to offer a higher number of opportunities in the Summer Youth Employment Program will help foster independence, education and leadership among youth across Staten Island and the city,” said Vito Fossella, Staten Island borough president. “I support Mayor Adams’ initiatives to keep our youth actively engaged during the summer months. This should give more kids opportunities to gain work experience and make a few extra dollars in the process.”
City officials are working with private sector partners, non-profit organizations and others to help place participants.
For more information, including how to apply, visit the website.
