After a need’s analysis of youth services and resources, the TENCO Workforce Development Board established a work-based learning opportunity for youth ages 17-24 in the local area. The focus of the program is to serve youth that have recently graduated and/or are not attending any school in order to prepare them for employment and/or post-secondary education. The Youth Employment Program (YEP) provides eligible youth an opportunity to gain basic work ethic and job readiness skills, improve financial literacy awareness, and be successful in their transition to employment and/or training while participating in a paid work experience. Youth receive work site evaluations throughout the program and have opportunities to earn incentives for successfully meeting the educational and/or employment goals of the program.
In December 2020, the TENCO Workforce Development Board released a Request for Proposal for interested parties could submit a bid to provide the Youth Employment Program services in their county. Six entities submitted and were approved to provide summer employment opportunities to youth eligible under the guidelines of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Augusta Independent Schools, Fairview Independent Schools, Fleming County BOE, Lewis County BOE, Mason County BOE, and Robertson County BOE. The TENCO Workforce Development Board obligated funds in the amount of $571,750.00 for these projects. It is anticipated that 207 youth will be served during the summer of 2021.
The Youth Employment Program was first funded by the TENCO Workforce Development Board in 2017. From 2017-2020, 395 youth have participated in the program.
For county contact information, please view contracts under the board tab of this webpage, or contact Brad Grier at 606-564-6894 for general information.
