APPLICATIONS HAVE CLOSED FOR 2026 SUMMER YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IN HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES

The application process has closed for the 2026 Summer Youth Work Experience Program sponsored by the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB).

This is the seventh consecutive year that the GRWDB is sponsoring the summer youth program with funding from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). It is one of 10 NJDOL-funded programs around the state. The Greater Raritan SYWEP has served 321 youth who had had work experiences with 145 employers since the program’s inception. This includes 94 youth and 33 employers in 2025.

Initially, the GRWDB received funding for approximately 50 youth participants, and employer and youth applications were due at the start of May. In the beginning of June, the NJDOL notified the GRWDB and other grant recipients that their grants were being increased; the GRWDB’s program award was doubled to $338,122.00, which will enable the GRWDB to support up to 87 paid work experiences. In addition, the GRWDB is reallocating some of its other state youth funding to support up to another 10 positions, dependent on youth eligibility requirements associated with this funding.

With the infusion of additional grant support, applications for employer and youth participants reopened on June 12 and subsequently closed on July 2.

For this year’s program, youth participants can work any 200-hour period between May 19 to October 16. Participants must be between the ages of 16 and 24 and can be in school or out of school. Those accepted into the program will work 180 hours with the employer and complete another 20 hours of online and in-person career-readiness training and peer coaching sessions directed by the GRWDB. The youth participant’s tax-free stipend will be $17.00 an hour, for a total of $3,400.00, if all 200 hours are completed.

For the first cohort’s May 4 deadline, the GRWDB received more than 200 youth applications and 28 employer applications. Summer Youth Program Coordinator Jeanne Cassano is now finalizing the employer-youth matches for this group and will begin working on matches for this second cohort, which includes six new employer participants as well as more than two dozen youth applicants. Some youth participants began in their work experiences in late June, and it is anticipated that all participants will be in their positions by the third to fourth week in July.

Any private or public employer of any size in Hunterdon and Somerset counties with available part-time positions could apply to be an employer participant. This year’s employers represent a range of private businesses as well as municipal and county government agencies.

“We are thrilled that the NJDOL has increased the program award,” said Cassano, who is also the GRWDB’s contract compliance and engagement specialist. “This is a wonderful growth opportunity for our youth participants and our employers. Last year, three youth stayed on with their employers, which puts the GRWDB’s mission of connecting job seekers and businesses into action.”

Anyone with questions can contact Cassano at jcassano@somersetcountynj.gov or call 908-541-5785.

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About the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board
The GRWDB oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. More information about these programs can be found on thegrwdb.org, including stories on initiatives, a resource tab for job seekers, and an updated calendar of events. Weekly text alerts highlight career and job opportunities in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Text “one-stop” to 908-460-8144 to sign up.