Wilmington’s Youth Career Development Program Goes Year-Round

From the City of Wilmington:

September 28, 2020

New Fall/Winter employment program is set to kick off October 12; 120 positions are available; applicants must register online at www.wilmingtonyouthjobs.com

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Kelley, Sr. announced today the opening of the registration period for the City’s 2020 Youth Career Development (YCD) program Fall/Winter session. The YDC is now a year-round program. The City will employ youths in various jobs and internships within City government as well as in the business and community sectors. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 12. Mayor Purzycki reminds residents that the Youth Career Development Program is intended to help young Wilmingtonians develop valuable work skills and prepare them for a successful career and future.

“I encourage young people to apply for a position today and develop a solid foundation for continued personal and professional growth,” said Mayor Purzycki. “We want all of our young people to succeed, and they surely will by becoming more responsible in a work-like setting and understanding more about their own skills and talents.”

Young people interested in employment are advised that they must apply online. To apply, use this link: WilmingtonDE.gov/youthjobs. Once an account is created and the registration is received by YCD staff, the applicant will be scheduled for an intake appointment where YCD staff will review the application and required documents.

To be eligible for the 2020 Youth Career Development Program, applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 21, must complete an application form, and must meet other income, residency and job-eligibility requirements, which can also be found online. Applicants 17 years of age and under must also complete an online Delaware Department of Labor work permit. Background and drug testing will be administered prior to employment. And all participants must arrange for direct deposit of their paychecks in order to be paid.

Career Pathway Track
A new feature of this year’s Youth Career Development program is the Career Pathway Track, which could result in year-round employment. The track places participants in jobs that relate to a youth’s career pathway. The track is available between the months of October through April and provides participants with an opportunity to work as many as 16 weeks. Summer 2020 participants will begin October 12, while new applicants will start their work assignments on Monday, November 2. Government positions are available in the City’s Department of Real Estate and Housing as well as at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center; private sector jobs include spots at LaFate Gallery, The Warehouse, Shoprite, Al’s Sporting Goods, 4 Youth Productions, The Sold Firm, and more.

This year, the Parks and Recreation Department will hold intake sessions by appointment only after the online application has been successfully submitted. A Department of Labor representative will also be on hand to help applicants complete their work permit forms.

YCD 2020 is conducted in partnership with Bank of America, the Delaware Department of Labor, and the City of Wilmington.

This press release was produced by the City of Wilmington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.