Teen Job Preparatory Program

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

The Teen Job Preparatory Program is a community-based program that helps Henrico county youth, ages 14 and 15, develop positive vocational attitudes, skills, and behaviors. Youth participate in a nine month instructional phase of pre-employment training and basic skill development that also entails specific volunteer-based community service requirements and academic expectations. Upon successful completion of the instructional phase or basic skills tract, youth are provided with a paid 6-week summer employment placement. The program also includes an entrepreneurial tract for youth who have previously participated in the basic skills tract. This tract utilizes area business representatives to provide on-site instruction regarding starting and owning a business. Participants are taught the basic concepts of entrepreneurship and, upon completion, also participate in the paid 6-week summer employment. As part of the graduation, youth in both the basic skills and entrepreneurship tracts participate in a Teen Job Symposium. This is held in the Spring, and is open to all county teens.