YIP Full 12 week program

The Youth Internship Program offers two 12 week programs to assist young people in attaining full-time employment and in succeeding on the job.

These sessions begin in May, September, and January.

Career Assessment and Direction

Career assessment and direction is an important part of the Youth Internship Program. You will take time to examine your personality type, interests, skills, and goals in order to develop an action plan to pursue short and long term career goals.

Youth Internship Program participants explore a field of interests by conducting a job shadow and/or informational interviews with an employer of choice.

Employability Skills - Developing the Skills and Qualities Employers Value

An important component of the Youth Internship Program is the development of employability skills. These are general skills that employers in many different types of businesses and organizations value in their employees. The following employability skills workshops are included in the Youth Internship Program:

  1. Customer Service
  2. Communication Skills
  3. Teamwork
  4. Time Management
  5. Stress Management
  6. Assertiveness
  7. Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness
  8. Volunteerism
  9. Public Speaking
  10. Goal Setting
  11. Conflict Resolution
  12. Personal Management
  13. Leadership

Participants gain a positive attitude and increased self-confidence.

Job Search Skills

The job market is competitive. A successful job search depends not only on your qualifications for the job, but your job search strategy and how you present yourself to employers. The Youth Internship Program provides a series of workshops to help participants gain the skills they need to be successful in today's job market.

Topics covered include:
  1. Writing a winning resume
  2. How to write cover letters
  3. Application forms
  4. Interview skills
  5. Networking
  6. Self-marketing
  7. Accessing the hidden job market

Job Search Skills

The Youth Internship Program does not find job placements for participants. The program provides participants with the skills they need to successfully find employment. Participants search for work within the supportive context of the program and guidance from staff. Participants leave the program with a full-time job and the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively handle searching for employment in the future.

Youth Internship Program staff work closely with participants to assist them with planning their job search days, preparing resumes, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews. Staff provide encouragement and motivation during their job search.

Monitored Work Experience

As noted in point 4 above, the Youth Internship Program does not find job placements for participants; however, Program staff facilitate a smooth transition into the workplace for both employee and employer by monitoring the first few weeks of employment. The level of monitoring provided varies according to the needs of both the employer and employee.