Program Description
Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), in partnership with Capital Workforce Partners (CWP) provides young adults with programming designed to develop work readiness skills. In the Youth Employment and Learning Program, students develop basic academic and work readiness skills while participating in career exploration opportunities to support their transition into adulthood. Students are involved in both project-based and internship programs. CREC partners with local businesses and non-profits to provide students with a variety of internship sites. CREC provides summer and year-round programming to youth in Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield and Manchester. During summer programming, students earn wages for their time spent learning and working. During the year, youth transition into a stipend based program which concentrates on career focused goal setting and empowering youth.
The CWP Youth Employment and Learning Program helps develop the following career competency skills:

• Basic Reading and Math
• Job Seeking
• Interpersonal
• Personal Qualities
• Communication
• Problem Solving/Decision Making
• Computer Literacy
• Customer Service Skills

Long term goals for the program are that youth will demonstrate their ability to enter the workforce and/or post-secondary career education by becoming workforce-certified (the achievement of CWP career competencies); youth will graduate from high school on time; and youth will enter a post secondary career education program.

Short term goals include the development of relationships with positive, adult role models. Youth will also create a “dream” and “reality” resume, remain in school, develop work readiness skills, and participate in and attend all activities.
Activities include:

• Resume/cover letter writing
• Weekly meetings
• Parent nights
• Team building activities
• Job shadowing
• Company tours
• Field trips
• Career mentoring
• Guest speakers
• Pre/post program assessments
• Career exploration activities
• Community service projects