Youth Workforce Programs

BronxWorks Workforce Development is proud to offer a number of different job-readiness and training programs focused on youth, including GED prep classes. Starting a career is difficult at a young age; BronxWorks provides these services to make the adjustment to working life seamless.

Explore our services:

EXCEL Program

The BronxWorks EXCEL program offers career training that exposes youth ages 18-24 to a variety of employment options so that they can choose the area that most interests them.

In addition, our services prepare young adults for the world of work, helping them to create resumes, prepare for job interviews, gain computer skills, and learn how to manage money.

For those who did not graduate high school, EXCEL has daily GED prep classes that combine group and individual instruction to prepare participants to obtain their high school equivalency diploma.

Participants must reside in the Bronx. Please contact us so we can best serve you!

If you are 25 or older, we have limited opportunities available. Please contact us today.

Health Careers Program

The BronxWorks Health Careers Program is designed for young adults with a passion for helping others who are eager to start or advance their careers in community healthcare. The program provides access to training to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, which includes certifications in EKG (electrocardiogram) and Phlebotomy (drawing blood). This program is ideal for young people with limited work experience, or those with previous healthcare-related positions like Home Health Aide (HHA) or Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) caregivers.

The six-month program includes career development workshops, financial coaching, 12 weeks of medical theory and hands-on training, and a 150-hour paid internship.

Participants must meet the following requirements* to be eligible for this program:

  • 18-24 years old**
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Not currently enrolled in college
  • Unemployed
  • Interested in healthcare

Workforce Development Main Office

550 East 142nd Street
Bronx, NY, 10454

Contact:
Juliette Sanchez, Outreach and Retention Specialist
healthcareers@bronxworks.org

Phone:
917.886.2512

Click for map and directions

We are especially looking for participants who are:

  • Pregnant or parenting
  • Runaway/homeless youth
  • in foster care/aged out of foster care

*Please note that participants will need to pass a TABE test prior to acceptance into the program.

**Referral will be made for youth ages 16-17 who do not qualify for the program.

Contact us today to learn more about this program! You can also fill out this form.

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) connects New York City youth ages 14-24 years old with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience for six (6) weeks each summer from July to August.

At BronxWorks, the SYEP program comprises three components: Career Ready (School-based SYEP), Career First (NYCHA-based SYEP), and Community (which is lottery-based).

Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center

1130 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10456

2nd Floor

Contact:
ShaQuanna Cody-McGrew,
Program Director
SYEP@bronxworks.org

Phone:
718.508.3180

Click for map and directions

Older youth participants ages 16-24 are assigned to worksites, including BronxWorks programs, and local businesses & organizations, such as New York Urban League, Summatime Studios, Ashley Stewart, and Eddington Security.

Younger youth ages 14-15 years are placed in project-based learning groups of 25-40 participants. The groups decide on a theme, such as civic advocacy, social justice, or environmental issues. The groups develop projects throughout the summer, giving young people an opportunity to learn, create, and express themselves on topics that they choose and are passionate about.

The 2025 SYEP Application is open January 21 – March 14. Click here to apply, or reach out to us for assistance. When you apply, select BronxWorks as your primary provider with PIN WPA749818.

Work, Learn, & Grow Employment Program

The Work, Learn & Grow Employment Program (WLG) is a New York City Council-funded initiative designed to build off the experiences gained in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). WLG provides enrolled participants of SYEP ages 16-21 and currently in school with career readiness training and paid employment opportunities for up to twenty-five weeks (25) from October to March.

Community Impact

In 2023, BronxWorks enrolled 595 people ages 18 & up in GED test preparation classes.

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