Program Hopes to Provide 300 Jobs for Durham Youth This Summer;

Seeking Employers to Offer Internship Opportunities

DURHAM, N.C. - Durham employers interested in staffing for projects and tasks this summer while also developing skilled future talent should now consider hosting youth interns through the 2019 Durham YouthWork Internship Program.

The program is administered by the City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and is a partnership with Durham County Government, Durham Public Schools (DPS), Durham Technical Community College, and Made in Durham.

This program, now in its 16^th year, has a goal to grow from serving approximately 200 youth each summer to serving more than 1,000 youth within the next three years. In 2019, the goal is to offer more than 300 paid youth summer internship opportunities, and local employers are needed to make this a reality.

Benefits to companies who participate in this program include helping Durham develop a pool of skilled future talent; helping the community’s youth prepare for the world of work; helping to develop their team’s leadership skills and providing staffing for critical projects and tasks; and helping to create a more economically vibrant and competitive business environment. Employers interested in hosting youth interns this summer should now complete a YouthWork Position Request Form, and City staff will follow up to further discuss specific company needs.

Employers interested in hiring youth who apply to this year’s program are also encouraged to attend the 2019 Durham YouthWorks Job Expo to speak directly with potential interns who are seeking employment for this summer and beyond. This year’s expo will be held on Saturday, February 23 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Chesterfield Building, located at 107 W. Main St. in downtown Durham.

The selected youth for the 2019 program will begin work in mid-June with job assignments typically lasting between six-and-eight weeks with hourly rates ranging from $7.25 to $12. Selected youth, who will range in age from 14 to 24, will also take part in a job skills workshop led by DPS and assisted by professionals from local businesses and organizations prior to beginning their internships. 

For more information about hosting summer interns and/or participating in the 2019 Durham YouthWork Job Expo, interested employers should visit the City’s website or contact Business Services Manager Jamie Vaughn with the City’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development at (919) 560-4965 ext. 15221 or [email protected].

About the City of Durham Office of Economic and Workforce Development

Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development seeks to innovatively drive shared economic prosperity by helping to increase Durham’s commercial tax base; helping to prepare the workforce to meet the demands of current and emerging industries; promoting long-term economic growth through revitalization of downtown, urban, and targeted suburban areas; and providing technical and targeted financial assistance for businesses.