Summer Youth Employment Program :: VBgov.com

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

"More than just a summer job."
Providing Virginia Beach youth between the ages of 16 - 21 with the opportunity to develop skills, set career goals, earn money and become financially empowered by placing them in meaningful summer jobs.

2023 Summer Youth Employment Programs applications are closed.

Apply

Apply today to earn valuable work experience with the City of Virginia Beach and local businesses!

Important Dates

January 16 | Application Opens
March 20 | Application Closes
March 23 - April 11 | Interviews and Enrollment
June 20 - June 23 | Youth Worker I&II Job Readiness Orientation (In-Person)*
June 26 | First Day of Work
August 11 | Last Day of Work and Recognition Ceremony

*The SYEP Job Readiness Orientation is mandatory for employment

Program Requirements

Participant age between 16 - 21
Reside in the City of Virginia Beach (validated with report card or college transcript)
Adhere to all program policies and procedures as outlined in the SYEP Participant Handbook.
Commit to the entire 8-week program and the entire job readiness orientation
Complete and submit all forms and documents by the above-referenced application deadline

Complete and submit application
Professional recommendations (2) via the SYEP Application Recommendation form (recommendations from family members or friends will not be accepted)
Most recent report card/ college transcript (must include youth’s name and home address)
Original Social Security Card (non-laminated)
Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, learner’s permit, school ID, or VA identification card)
Resume (optional)

*All completed documents must be sent to SYEP@VBgov.com by the deadline provided by program staff.

Participant Testimonials

Caden L. fixing pavement

Caden L. | Parks & Recreation - Landscape Management

“SYEP has taught me a lot about saving money and having budgets…the program also set me up for a job for my future.”

Carlos H working

Carlos H. | Animal Care & Adoption Center

"I think the program opens up opportunities and it allows supervisors to kind of go out on a limb and see how the youth will participate and operate in those settings" Read More

Tyler N constructing office furniture

Tyler N. | Housing & Neighborhood Preservation

“I knew that saving could help you, but I never knew how much until I went to the [SYEP] Orientation. Thank you SYEP!”

Wyatt G programming machinerie

Wyatt G. | IMS Gear, Inc.

“I’ve learned a lot [about SYEP]. The summer really helped me to have an understanding of what my future will be like. I’ve actually been bragging about [SYEP]! It was a great experience.”

"VB SYEP helped me understand that the most important thing you can do for yourself and future, is to set aside money for saving. A savings account is a good start. A habit of saving can help you achieve financial freedom, and preparation for emergencies." - Don J. | Information Technology

"I will exceed my savings goal thanks to the incredible financial literacy classes provided by VB SYEP." - Joshua B. | Information Technology

"[SYEP] experience helped me land an interview with large federal consulting firms, including the Big Four. [SYEP] validated my career interests in data analytics, and I saved over $1,000."- Thomeka W. | Business Systems

"[SYEP] was the first to give me a real film job and in doing so, it helped me realize my passion can be a career. SYEP made me feel like potential was worthwhile, and that makes all the difference in the pursuit of creativity. Thank you for believing in me while I was still learning to believe in myself. It means more than I can express."- Jeanette L. | Youth Opportunities Office

"Thank you for all of the valuable information and career coaching you provided me over the course of this year’s Summer Youth Employment Program. I was able to use much of what I learned about resume building, networking and interviews in practice over the past week and have been offered a graduate position in auditing with Ernst & Young in Cork, Ireland." - Breana R. | Tidewater Finance Company

Apply for SYEP

Employ

Through the support of dedicated employers we are able to place Virginia Beach youth in meaningful jobs during the summer. If your organization is interested in providing part-time employment this summer, review the benefits and requirements below and submit your application by March 20. You must also attend the SYEP Supervisor meeting on May 10 via Microsoft Teams.

Employer Benefits

When investing in the youth of Virginia Beach, employers are doing more than just providing them with a summer job. Employers benefit from participation in SYEP in several ways:

94% stated that SYEP has helped them gain a better understanding of career choices and/or education options for the future
92% stated that SYEP has better prepared them for the future
Providing meaningful jobs in Virginia Beach will help them see the great opportunities we have to offer and keep our great talent here
Employers are provided a Job Coach for additional support to both the participant and the supervisor

Employer Role

Main worksite located in the City of Virginia Beach
Commit to pay the minimum rate provided by SYEP Staff
Provide productive work assignments to develop work ethic, basic job skills, workplace expectations, and explore career interests
Offer 27 - 35 hours of meaningful work each week between June - August
Follow requirements stated in the SYEP Partnership Agreement

Supervisor Testimonials

Shalonda Niskey and Youth Workers Shalonda Niskey, Emergency Medical Services

“We loved having the girls working at EMS this summer. Once they graduate from college, I would definitely like for them to look us up.”

Robin S., Information Technology

“The youth assigned to our area were very well equipped to handle our requests. There were 4 Supervisors in our area that worked with 11 youth workers and we all learned a few things as well as taught a few things. We were able to get a good idea of the youth workers potential and would love to see them all back again. We were very impressed with their advanced skillsets and desires to learn more. Every time we gave them one task that we thought would take them some time they were finished ahead of time. We gave them a variety of tasks. Some of the fun items and some of the not so fun items. They welcomed and handled them all very well.”

"This was a wonderful program and opportunity for youth to get work experience and for businesses to get support during the summer months. Our worker gained valuable job experience while we gained some extra support with work projects. A Win/Win program! What a great way to connect youth with work experience while they are identifying what they want to pursue for a job/career. - James Giangregorio, VB Central Library

"They [youth] bring value to our workplaces and I think it’s important that employers see the value of investing the time to mentor and educate the young workers." - Barb Lito, VB Grow Smart

"The SYEP program has given us the opportunity to access a viable teen workforce while exposing teens to the animal sheltering and veterinary field. The program offers youth the chance to explore different career paths in the companion animal field and teaches valuable workplace and life skills. The program coordinators prepare the youth for work prior to their first day on the job and coaches evaluate the students throughout the program. The SYEP program has been valuable to our organization; we have met some inspiring young adults, trained them to use real-life skills and benefitted from a diversified workforce. We will continue to welcome SYEP youth into our organization and recommend other organizations to participate in this win-win opportunity." Read more - Juleen Balance, Virginia Beach Animal Care

Become an SYEP Employer

Invest

Can't host a youth worker, but still want to be involved? Show your support for SYEP by sponsoring a youth worker this summer.

Invest in SYEP

For only $2,400, your organization can help provide one SYEP applicant with 7 week of experience and 1 week of professional development. Invest in Virginia Beach’s future workforce today! Contact SYEP Staff at SYEP@vbgov.com or (757) 385-0432 for more details.

Thank You to Our Supporters!

SYEP Community Partners

ABNB Federal Credit Union

America Saves for Young Workers

BankOn Hampton Roads

Beach Ford

Coastal Hospitality – Holiday Inn North Beach

Dollar Bank

Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)

IMS Gear

LifeCents

Mass Mutual

Safelite AutoGlass

Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel

Summer Jobs Connect

SunTrust

Tidewater Finance Company

Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads

SYEP City Department Partners

Communications Office

Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cultural Affairs

Economic Development

Finance

Fire

Housing & Neighborhood Preservation

Human Resources

Human Services

Information Technology

Libraries

Museums & Historic Resources

Parks & Recreation

Police

Public Utilities

Public Works

STiR Office

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Virginia Cooperative Extension

SYEP 10 Minute Tips

Watch these quick tips regarding financial empowerment and workplace readiness skills from area professionals and leaders.

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

Apply

Important Dates

Program Requirements

Participant Testimonials

Employ

Employer Benefits

Employer Role

Supervisor Testimonials

Invest

Invest in SYEP

Thank You to Our Supporters!

SYEP 10 Minute Tips

Watch the SYEP 10 Minute Tips Playlist

Program Overview

Apply

Employ

Invest

SYEP Ten Minute Tips

Watch the SYEP 10 Minute Tips Playlist

Contact Information

Summer Youth Employment Program

Follow SYEP

Get on the Job Experience through SYEP

Summer Youth Employment Program

Teen Media Studio

SYEP Annual Report

Volunteer Opportunities (16 & Under)

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

Apply

Important Dates ▼

Important Dates

Program Requirements▼

Program Requirements

Participant Tesimonials▼

Participant Testimonials

Employ

Employer Benefits ▼

Employer Benefits

Employer Role ▼

Employer Role

Supervisor Testimonials ▼

Supervisor Testimonials

Invest

Invest in SYEP▼

Invest in SYEP

Thank You to Our Supporters! ​​​​

SYEP 10 Minute Tips

Watch the SYEP 10 Minute Tips Playlist

Program Overview

Apply

Employ

Invest

SYEP Ten Minute Tips

Watch the SYEP 10 Minute Tips Playlist

Contact Information

Summer Youth Employment Program

Follow SYEP

Get on the Job Experience through SYEP

Summer Youth Employment Program

Teen Media Studio

SYEP Annual Report

Volunteer Opportunities (16 & Under)

Thank You to Our Supporters!