$1 Million Increase Will Help Open Doors to Professional Opportunities; Eligibility Age Lowered to 14 to Reach More Young People

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) today announced a $9 million investment in the Summer Youth Work Experience Program (SYWEP), expanding the program to now include teens as young as 14 years of age up to youth 24 years old and growing outreach to further support community-based violence intervention initiatives and the neighborhoods they serve. This year’s funding includes a $1 million increase from last year as part of Governor Mikie Sherrill’s very first budget. This program aims to connect more New Jersey youth with paid summer work experience, career-building skills, and the support they need to succeed. In addition, the grant now includes a partner information session to expand awareness and participation by community-based organizations across the state.

“Paid summer work can open doors for young people and strengthen communities impacted by violence,” said Governor Sherrill. “We are adding $1 million to sustain the Summer Youth Work Experience Program and providing grantees with training and technical assistance to help participants build career skills. Community-based organizations are essential to this effort, and I’m grateful for their partnership in expanding the program’s reach across New Jersey.”

Investing in Youth, Investing in Communities

Launched as a pilot in 2019 to help combat poverty, create pathways to employment for youth, and address vulnerabilities faced by teens and young adults, SYWEP introduces young people to career pathways through paid summer jobs, hands-on training, and supportive services. Over the past seven years, it has evolved into a more responsive, youth-centered model shaped by feedback from grantees, young people, and communities. Grantees tailor services to each participant’s circumstances, strengths, and readiness, and NJDOL provides ongoing training and technical assistance to help grantees administer strong and impactful programming to participants.

Since 2019, SYWEP has:

• Served 11,779 young people;
• Partnered with more than 500 worksites; and
• Invested more than $39 million in New Jersey’s youth.

“For a young person, a summer job can change what feels possible,” said Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis. “By connecting SYWEP to community-based violence intervention, we’re making sure young people in impacted communities have real opportunities, real income, and real support that will make a positive impact in their lives and futures. We’re grateful to our local workforce development boards and partners for making it happen.”

What’s New: Strengthening Support for Communities Impacted by Violence

Under Governor Sherrill’s leadership, the NJDOL continues to collaborate with local workforce development boards to grow participation in the SYWEP initiative by raising awareness to increase the number of grantees, employer partners, and worksites. The Department, additionally, seeks to deepen connections with local community-based violence intervention programs to engage more young people in support, training, and job opportunities.

Under the most recent Notice of Grant Opportunity:

• Applicants are encouraged to partner with community-based organizations focused on combating youth violence;
• Recruitment is expected to include outreach to justice-involved youth and violence prevention programs, strengthening referral pathways;
• Priority enrollment goes to young people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits;
• Applicants as young as 14 years old can apply to the program, down from 16;
• The NJDOL will host a statewide information session to encourage more community-based organizations to join the program as worksite sponsors or participant referral agencies; all are encouraged to join by completing the SYWEP Partner Interest Form.

How the Program Works and Who Can Apply for Grant Funding

SYWEP is a competitive grant program administered by NJDOL’s Office of Youth Programs and supported by state and federal workforce funds. Local workforce development boards, New Jersey municipalities, and agencies that previously received SYWEP awards, are eligible to apply.

Who Can Participate and What to Expect

SYWEP is open to New Jersey residents ages 14 to 24, both those attending school and those not enrolled in school.

Participants receive:

• Paid work experience with local employers: 160 to 200 hours and a stipend of up to $3,400, paid directly to the participant;
• Orientation and workforce readiness training, including soft skills, financial literacy, resume building, entrepreneurship, diversity training, and workplace harassment prevention; and
• Supportive services based on need, such as transportation, childcare, and disability accommodations.

SYWEP in Action

Across the state, SYWEP is giving young people an opportunity to explore careers and giving employers and communities a chance to invest in their youth.

In South Jersey, SYWEP participant Jessica G. spent her summer as a technology intern, a placement made possible by the Cumberland-Salem-Cape May Workforce Development Board. A graphic arts major at Rowan College of South Jersey, Jessica designed marketing materials for her host agency and gave a much-needed boost to several youth department projects.

In Branchburg, a SYWEP intern placed at Visions Development through the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board said, “It was a great learning experience, and I especially appreciated the opportunity to build meaningful professional connections along the way.”

SYWEP participants placed through Hudson County Schools of Technology have helped the Youth Foundation of Jersey City with community events, outreach, and social media. “Programs like SYWEP not only provide valuable job experience but also help young people see their potential and develop skills that will benefit them long after the summer ends,” said a Youth Foundation representative.

Local workforce development boards say SYWEP is opening doors to quality work experience for young people. “Several youths have found year-round employment based on this summer opportunity,” the Essex County Workforce Development Board reported. The Atlantic County Workforce Development Board stated: “When students step into these paid work experiences, they’re doing much more than adding a line to their resume. They’re gaining confidence, building networks, and seeing how their education translates into meaningful work.”

Key Dates:

• November 23: NJDOL will host an information session to expand the program’s reach and visibility to increase participation by community-based organizations across the state;
• December 7: Letter of Intent due by noon;
• December 8: Virtual technical assistance workshop at 10 a.m. (mandatory for all applicants);
• December 21: Application due by noon

View complete application instructions and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.

Learn more about NJDOL’s available grants on the Grant Opportunities website.