JERSEY CITY, NJ — Young people looking for something to do this summer may get a chance to earn money when Jersey City launches "JC Next," a jobs program for residents aged 15-24.
The program is an attempt to connect the young residents with "meaningful employment, professional exposure, and long-term career pathways," the city said in a statement.
Mayor James Solomon said he hopes the program, set to launch this summer, can extend beyond the season, providing career opportunities year-round.
"Jersey City has extraordinary young people, and I’ve heard time-after-time from families that the city must invest in them the way they deserve," Solomon said. "JC Next is a serious, sustained commitment to building a pipeline of homegrown talent. Every young person who works and learns here this summer is an investment in the city's future."
Spots will be filled in local government, small businesses, and by major employers, officials said.
"Leadership doesn't begin in the boardroom — it begins in neighborhoods, parks, and workplaces where young people first see what's possible for their lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Dr. Dia Bryant.
The 700 positions break down this way:
250 positions within the Department of Recreation and Youth Development, including summer camp counselors, counselors-in-training, assistant site supervisors, and aquatics staff.
250 positions funded through a Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) grant, placing youths in paid internships, apprenticeships, and career development roles at UEZ-registered businesses across Jersey City's neighborhood commercial corridors
~200 positions with private businesses & government departments through an ongoing recruitment effort engaging local businesses, large and small, to host interns or contribute financial support for placements.
The UEZ-funded program will run from July 6 through Aug. 21, with participants earning $17/hour for 25 hours per week, or around $425 per week. Youth placed through the Department of Recreation will work 40-hour weeks throughout the summer.
Participants will have opportunities across a wide range of industries — from health and wellness, technology, and business administration to arts and culture, hospitality, and public service, the city said.
Selection for summer positions will prioritize first-time workers, low-income youth, and students from underrepresented neighborhoods, the city said.
The program includes a pre-placement interest and readiness process to match youth with sectors aligned to their goals.
Those interested should head to this link.
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