Sarasota, FL. – The CareerSource Suncoast Summer Youth Employment Program is preparing for a big graduation ceremony, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, June 29th, at the Neal Performing Arts Center on the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota Campus, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton. In its third year, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has grown to nearly 160 teens, doubling last year’s numbers.
The SYEP is a unique opportunity for low-income students aged 14-19 to gain valuable, real-world work experience. As CareerSource Suncoast Youth Program Manager Alicia Cruz-Otero explains, “Our goal is to provide them with a realistic glimpse of the professional world, from job preparation to an actual work experience. They receive classroom training at SCF’s 26 West Technology Center, including resume building, job interviews, and professional conduct.”
After the training, CareerSource Suncoast hosts a Job Fair where the students met with local employers and prepared to start, what is for many of them, is their first job. Students work 30 hours each week for a total of 120 hours. CSS covered the wages and employers’ compensation for the teens who found jobs in manufacturing, childcare, hospitality, and more. Employers included the Bradenton Marauders, who recently talked about their experience with the SYEP on ABC 7’s “The Suncoast View.”
CSS would like to thank the Florida Lottery for partnering with the SYEP. The Florida Lottery has contributed over $8 billion to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, enabling over 980,000 students to attend college. Thanks to the Florida Lottery’s dedication to education, students can pursue their passions while attending college. Are you a Bright Futures recipient, past or present? The Florida Lottery invites you to share your story! Click here to download the Bright Futures Testimonial Form. With your story, please include a photo of yourself and a signed release form to MybrightfuturesStory@flalottery.com. The Florida Lottery would love to hear from you!
The SYEP was also made possible thanks to generous grants from Suncoast Credit Union, the City of Sarasota Downtown Improvement District and program funds from Florida Department of Commerce.
CareerSource Suncoast is the state-designated workforce services provider in Manatee County and Sarasota County. As a private, non-profit organization with an independent Board of Directors, it supports economic development through business growth, career advancement, and entrepreneurship.
For questions on the ceremony or the SYEP, please contact Alicia Cruz-Otero.
