Summer Employment Models

Type:
System of programs

Description:
Summer Employment models offer educationally-enriched work opportunities to in-school and out of school youth ages 14-21. Participants complete a six-week (120 hour), paid work experience that fosters the acquisition of the 21st Century skills through work-based learning. These models challenge youth to understand the correlations between such variables as work experience, skill attainment and high school completion and how those variables impact their potential for college and career success. Additionally, they offer participants a pathway for credit attainment within the School District of Philadelphia. Opportunities are offered through one of three program models: service-learning, work experience, and internships.

Service Learning: Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy in which youth address real-world issues that are relevant to their community. This model allows youth to explore these issues through research, reflection, and action. Summer Service Learning programs organize young people into teams that address complex, community problems in a holistic way; while also offering young people the opportunity to simultaneously serve and learn. As part of their service-learning experience, all participants complete a project connected to the communal activity that enables them to hone both their work-readiness and their academic skills.

Work Experience: Work Experience programs are intended for youth with limited or no work experience. Activities blend work experience with work-readiness training in ways that expand participants’ knowledge of workplace competencies and careers while also underscoring the importance of academic achievement and its link to career advancement. Youth participants develop work-based learning projects that demonstrate the knowledge they have gained and provide opportunities to build academic skills, enhance their work readiness and expand their awareness of career options.

Internships: Internships offer employment and career-exposure opportunities for youth with prior work experience and a basic understanding of workplace competencies. Interns work independently rather than in groups and participate in a series of professional development workshops which focus on career exploration and aptitude assessment as well as work-readiness. Participants have the choice of completing a work-based learning project or a portfolio.

During summer 2012:
5,144 youth were served in the summer-only program models with the following results:

86% of youth demonstrated skill gains in at least one 21st Century skill area
96% of youth self-reported as being better prepared to get a job
97% of youth surveyed indicated they are more interested in post-secondary education

Youth Eligibility