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HARTFORD, CT - Governor Ned Lamont and Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today held a news conference at the YWCA Hartford Region to highlight the growth of the Connecticut Youth Employment Program, an initiative designed to help young people explore careers and bring them into the job market. The YWCA Hartford Region is one of the many partners across the state that are hiring youths under the program, which is overseen by the Connecticut Department of Labor and administered by the state’s five Workforce Development Boards.
Governor Lamont recently doubled funding for this program from $5 million in fiscal year 2024 to $10 million in fiscal year 2025. It connects young people ages 14 to 24 with meaningful opportunities that let them explore careers, work side-by-side with professionals who help them build career networks, and receive job training and experience, all while earning a paycheck.
“The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is a valuable workforce development initiative that gives young people an opportunity to build their resumes and gain valuable work experience, while also building a stronger workforce for employers,” Governor Lamont said. “Initiatives like this can changes lives around, especially for youths who are in need of professional guidance that can put them on the right track to building a successful career. I appreciate the many partners we have around Connecticut that are participating in this program and helping give youths an opportunity to build a foundation for a stable, productive life for themselves.”
“For young people just starting to think about what they want to do, the Connecticut Youth Employment Program is a great opportunity to explore different careers, learn from those working in the field, and earn some money,” Commissioner Bartolomeo said. “In addition, the program runs year-round, so employers are able to hire youth when they most need workers. I applaud the YWCA for their investment in our young people and thank Governor Lamont for his strong advocacy of this program. The 2025 budget increase allows us to pull more kids off the waiting lists and into jobs.”
Designed to break down employment barriers for young workers, the Connecticut Youth Employment Program covers participant salaries and other job-related expenses, such as uniforms and transportation to and from work. Approximately 94% of youths participating in the program are high school students, 2% are in college, and 4% are not in school. Additionally, with a focus on disconnected and underserved young people, the program provides community support and resources.
“The need for youth employment continues to be significant in Connecticut,” Alex Johnson, president and CEO of Capital Workforce Partners, said. “We are grateful to Governor Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and the state legislature for increasing their investment and enabling us to serve more young people. Capital Workforce Partners is especially proud of its Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program. Young people in the region have had the opportunity to explore their interests and career pathways, develop workplace skills, and engage in learning experiences that will help develop their social, civic, and leadership skills.”
“Employment equips youth with essential skills, work experience, and a sense of responsibility, experiences that are vital to helping our youth thrive professionally,” Donna Sodipo, chief programs officer of YWCA Hartford Region, said. “Programs like this level the equity playing field by creating connections and opportunities for economic mobility. We are truly grateful to our worksite partners who open their businesses and programs to our youth and are committed to mentoring our young professionals.”
“Connecticut Youth Employment Program funding makes a big difference at the YWCA,” Ruth Uneeder, women and girls director at the YWCA Hartford Region, said. “We’ve had young people participating in everything from career introduction to skills building to becoming fully-fledged employees here and in the Greater Hartford region. We thank Governor Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and Capitol Workforce Partners for their support of our work.”
The Connecticut Youth Employment Program runs year-round.
Youths who want to enroll and employers interested in participating should contact their region’s Workforce Development Board for details. More information can be found on the Connecticut Youth Employment Program’s webpage.