ATLANTA—Thousands of youths will be hired again this summer under Mayor Andre Dickens’ Summer Youth Employment Program.

The Atlanta City Council has approved a $2 million allocation for Dickens’ signature program, which will be open to Atlanta residents ages 14-24.

Last year, 5,135 youths were hired and earned an average hourly wage of $17.27. City officials said 157 employers participated in the 2023 program offering a wide variety of jobs.

Sponsored by Councilmember Andrea L. Boone, the legislation for this year’s program amends the FY 2024 General Fund to provide funding to the Department of Labor and Employment Services to hire Atlanta youths. Again  a variety of paid positions spanning a diverse range of industries and inclusive roles with the City of Atlanta will be offered.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program(SYEP) helps our young people come into their own by creating paid opportunities that provide work experience and life skills that can help prepare them for the future,” said Mayor Dickens. “Sometimes, young people just need to know someone is in their corner and today, thanks to Councilmember Boone and the entire City Council, Atlanta is saying ‘That begins with us.’ The SYEP continues to be a group project, and I again call on our private and non-profit partners to hire as many Atlanta youth as possible to make this the best year yet.”

Created in 2022 under Mayor Dickens, the Summer Youth Employment Program leverages partnerships in the public, private and non-profit sectors to employ Atlanta youth—often receiving their first work experience—who can earn higher-than-average wages while learning valuable work and life skills.

To view a report on the 2023 SYEP online, click  here.

For more information on how to sign up for the 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program or to learn how to become a hiring partner, visit atlyearoftheyouth.com or visit this link.

Images via City of Alanta Summer Youth Employment Program

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