Applications now open for Summer Youth Employment Program 2022

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It’s  that time of year again, where high school and college students are eligible to apply for the Summer Youth Employment Program.

This was confirmed in a statement from Human Resources.

 “[As it] draws near to implementing the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for this year, our Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Division is looking for quality and productive worksites for our SYEP participants.

 “The SYEP is designed to prepare youth for entry into the labor force and to provide job training to those disadvantaged individuals facing barriers to employment.

 “Our high school senior students ages eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) are eligible.”

The applicants will be assessed and placed in various worksites and classroom component opportunities that will link academic and occupational learning for career exploration in the future. 

The SYEP will begin June 27, 2022 and run through August 19, 2022 for a duration of eight weeks.

 “The participants will be placed at the worksites for four hours a day and 20 hours a week from Monday to Friday.

 “Other activities will include Job Readiness training, Career Development, Social Skills and Occupational skills training, which will be provided in conjunction with employment.”

ASG is also advising government departments, agencies and the business community if interested in having SYEP participants as part of their team, they need to submit a  WIOA-SYEP form to the Department of Human Resources - WIOA Division.

Last year there were approximately 1,500 interns in the Summer Youth Employment Program.

In the statement issued last year, a SYEP spokesperson indicated that interns were afforded a range of experiences during their stint and were exposed to the inner workings of the Executive Branch’s highest office alongside with key leaders and staff members that oversee critical offices, programs, and priorities of the Lemanu and Talauega Administration.

HOW TO APPLY

With COVID-19 restrictions, there have been changes to the eligibility criteria.  To be eligible for the SYEP the applicant must between the ages of 18-24 years old, unemployed and economically disadvantaged. 

Documents required include a birth certificate or valid passport, Social Security Card, COVID vaccination card and a copy of the 2021 tax documents or recent check stub for employed family members.

The deadline for registration is June 10, 2022.

For more information for people applying on Tutuila contact Marie Paaloalo or Bert Thompson at 633-4485.  For Manu’a participants, contact Candice Mutini or Theresa Reid at 770-1964 / 782-0367.  You can also email: [email protected]