City of Minneapolis STEP-UP Program

When a young person steps onto the first rung of the career ladder, it’s a step up for the whole community.

STEP-UP is preparing our future workforce today. – Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak

Background

City’s history of employment and training

Community-based approach

Youth Council Leadership

Funding STEP-UP as part of the

city’s economic development strategy

STEP-UP prepares youth for success in the workforce by offering quality work and training experiences.

Training Model – New in 2012

All youth evaluated for level of work readiness and placed in a training that best meets their needs and can help them be successful in the workplace.

Training options are Explore, Discover, and Achieve.

Training Components

Explore: targeted populations or partnerships with existing programs

Discover: subsidized internships with non-profit employers

Achieve: mostly employer-paid internships at local employers

Program Structure Youth Recruitment and

Training Work Readiness

Training Internship Matching Employer Recruitment Job Coaching and

Support Enhancements Recognition Evaluation

Youth Recruitment and Training

Youth recruitment targeted to low-income and at-risk populations

All applicants screened for level of work readiness. Indicators include: Work or volunteer experience Participation in groups/clubs Technical skills Answers to short essay questions

Matched with training based on application score

Work Readiness Training 4 training options Assigned to training based on assessed work

readiness and development level Discover Interns - Two options

14 hours for youth needing the most preparation 6 hours + mock interview for youth with more

experience or skills Achieve Interns – Two options

6 hours + mock interview for moderately work ready youth ages 16+

4 hours + mock interview for youth that have previously completed a STEP-UP internship

Internship Work Experience Internship Matching/ Placement Work Readiness Training Application/Program Selection

525 leave training 185 not

placed

890 complete Achieve work

readiness training. 3 sessions @ 2 hours

each + practice interviews.

1415 invited to Achieve work readiness training. Applications are selected

for Achieve based on application score

705 placed in Achieve internship.

Placements are managed by Achieve

and are based on application score and

training grade.

681 complete Achieve internship

24 leave internshi

p

153 not

placed

256 leave training

485 invited to Discover Group 1 work

readiness training based on application

score

286 complete Discover Group 1 work readiness training run by

PPL. 2 sessions @ 7 hours each.

466 complete Discover Group 2 work readiness training run by

Achieve. 3 sessions @ 2 hours

each + practice interviews.

595 complete Discover

internship

199 leave training

STEP-UP ACHIEVE PROGRAM AGES 16-21

STEP-UP DISCOVER PROGRAM AGES 14-21 466 interns

complete weekly 3-hour academic & life skills class run by Parks &

Recreation. 599 placed in

Discover internships.

Placements are managed at the DEED workforce centers and are

based on application score

and training grade

4 leave internshi

p

722 Invited to Discover Group 2 work readiness

training based on application score

of 20+

753 not selected for STEP-UP program

289 low scores 464 ineligible or

incomplete

3375 apply to 2011 STEP-UP Summer Jobs

Program

Applicants must qualify

below income guidelines, must reside in

Minneapolis, must be age 14-21. Applications are

scored by METP based on 4 sections: school

achievement, previous volunteer or work

experience, computer skills, and essay.

DRAFT 3/12/2012. Humphrey School of Public Affairs Capstone. Liz Krough, Andrea MacArthur, Ann Aronson & Leif Anderson

Employer Recruitment

Employer engagement strategies Events Systems approach Relationship building Advocacy from City and Business leaders

Internship Matching

Youth skills and Interests Employer needs Resume matches Intake matches

Job Coaching and Support

Supervisor training Support for interns and

employers throughout the summer

Weekly emails, and updates to supervisors

Work Site monitoring

Enhancements

Class, credits Golden Gopher Day JEM Financial Literacy Camps – MBV, Camp

Sunrise

Evaluation

Youth complete a pre- and post-evaluation of work readiness training

Youth and supervisors complete an evaluation of their experience each summer

Program evaluation conducted by two groups from the University of Minnesota.

Recognition

Celebration event held each August to recognize the interns, supervisors, employers.

Parents and alumni invited Certificates provided to interns and employers

recognizing their achievement and contribution

2011 Data and Outcomes

211 of the regions most prominent businesses, including U.S. Bancorp, Boston Scientific, Allianz, and Wells Fargo employed STEP-UP interns.

Youth earned a total of 2.9M in wages, 1.1M of which was paid by employers.

1,980 youth employed 86% youth of color 14% youth with disabilities 9% ELL 5% offenders 3% teen parents

2012 Projections Estimating 1,800 youth matched with internships in

2012

Number of Youth by Component

Achieve, 700

Discover, 630

Explore, 510

Keys for Success & Replication

Leadership Partnership and Collaboration Engaged Business Community Training and Preparation Funding and Investment

Partnership Contractors: AchieveMpls, Minneapolis Park and Recreation

Board, Minnesota Workforce Centers, Project for Pride in Living Schools Employers Youth serving agencies and community based organizations

Contact Information

Tammy Dickinson Tammy.dickinson@minneapolismn.gov 612-673-5041 Anne Fischer anne.fischer@minneapolismn.gov 612-673-6221