(NEWARK, NJ) -- The City of Newark's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which provides Newark youth with summer jobs and educational experiences, is seeking employers for youth aged 14 to 24. Funded by grants, not employers, the job program will commence on July 10 and conclude on August 15. The program serves thousands of Newark youth annually. The deadline for employers to apply is Monday, May 8.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka has built Newark's summer youth employment program into a national leader while tripling its size through innovative public-private partnerships. The program was highlighted nationally by President Obama's White House and has hosted conferences for the Cities for Financial Empowerment's Summer Jobs Connect cohort. Its success emanates from the mayor's vision of summer youth employment as something much broader than a paycheck.

"The kids of Newark are always at the center of every initiative Newark embarks on because whatever makes our city stronger bolsters their chance of succeeding here as adults," said Mayor Baraka. "That is why I am proud of how our many employers step up and provide these summer jobs. These work opportunities help our kids develop their leadership and teamwork skills and define their value as contributors to our community and society as a whole."

SYEP aligns enrolled Newark youth to worksites that match their careers of interest as indicated on their application. The City is seeking local businesses and organizations to support the program by providing youth with jobs.

To serve as a worksite and apply, visit https://www.newarkyouthonestop.org/employers.

In particular, the City is looking to match youth applicants to organizations in the following fields: Arts and Entertainment; Child Care; Public Safety (including judiciary and legal work); Education; Entrepreneurships/Start-ups; Green Energy; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics); Health Care; Cosmetology; and Engineering/Construction.

"We are pleased to launch the 2023 City of Newark Summer Youth Employment Program Youth and Worksite Applications. The main goal of SYEP is to leverage workforce development to create the city's next generation of leaders by broadening the horizons of today's youth to prepare for tomorrow's careers. Furthermore, SYEP provides the opportunity for our young people to work, earn income, and gain valuable work readiness skills during their summer experience," said NewarkWORKS Youth One-Stop Career Center Youth Program Director Cody Piggot.

Under the leadership of Mayor Baraka, the number of youth served by this program has tripled. This is made possible by a public-private partnership led by the City of Newark and including the New Jersey Department of Labor and nearly 20 corporate and philanthropic partners.