Summer Youth Employment Program
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.
Program Annual Report
See how the SYEP program helped youth gain a better understanding of future careers and/or education options.
Apply today to earn valuable work experience with the City of Virginia Beach and local businesses!
Important Dates
- Applications open: Jan. 15
- Application deadline: March 12
- Interviews and enrollment: March 23-April 17
- Orientation: June 15-18 (in person)
- First day of work: June 22
- Last day of work and recognition ceremony: Aug. 5
Program Requirements
- Participants aged between 16–21. (Must be 16 before June 4th)
- Reside in the City of Virginia Beach (validated with a report card or college transcript or proof of residency).
- Commit to the entire 8-week program and the entire job readiness orientation.
- Work each week from June until August up to 7 days per week as needed.
- Complete and submit all forms and documents by the above-referenced application deadline:
- Complete and submit the application.
- Complete youth worker questionnaire.
- Send this link to two professional recommenders via the SYEP Application Recommendation form (recommendations from family members or friends will not be accepted). Once the recommender completes the form, it will automatically be submitted to SYEP.
- Send in the most recent report card/college transcript (If not in school, youth may send a copy of a bank statement, name and address section only). Please send as email attachments to SYEP@VBgov.com. Resumes are optional.
- Once two recommendations and a report card/transcript are received by SYEP, an email will be sent to sign up for a SYEP interview.
- Following the interview, if hired, participants will receive an email from the SYEP Human Resources office to sign up for an appointment to complete hiring paperwork. Participants must bring the original Social Security card (non-laminated) and a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, learner’s permit, school ID or VA ID card). (Do not send these documents by email for security reasons.)
- Applications are reviewed every Monday. Once you submit your application, you have two weeks from the following Monday to submit all required documents. If your documents are not received within this two-week window, your application may still be retained for consideration if specific program needs arise, but you will no longer be eligible for an interview.
Participant Testimonials
This program was extremely fun. I really appreciate the fact that my job placement was not a setting where I had to shy away from my personality, but instead I was encouraged to embrace it.
This was a fantastic program and I’m so glad I was able to work for SYEP.
The SYEP team, save money for college, and make some really good friends. Can’t wait to come back next year.
This was my first job experience and it was very nice to get this opportunity through SYEP. I loved the job and experience I gained. I now feel more confident and comfortable to continue my working journey.
Through the support of dedicated employers, our program is 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 28. 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 summer jobs. 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 our community has 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 is located in the City of Virginia Beach.
- Commit to pay the minimum rate provided by SYEP Staff.
- Provide productive work assignments to develop a work ethic, basic job skills, and workplace expectations, and explore career interests.
- Offer 27 hours of meaningful work each week between June-August.
- Follow the requirements stated in the SYEP Partnership Agreement.
Supervisor Testimonials
We enjoy having a youth worker and greatly appreciate all the help they offer us in our busy program season.
I have very much enjoyed spending the summer with my SYEP youth workers. They were truly amazing, and in our own way we have become "family" Thank you for the SYEP program.
Can't host a youth worker, but still want to be involved? Show your support for SYEP by sponsoring a youth worker this summer.
Your organization can help provide one SYEP applicant with eight weeks of experience and one 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.
SYEP Previous Private Partners
- ABNB Federal Credit Union
- America Saves for Young Workers
- Bank on Hampton Roads
- Beach Ford
- Coastal Hospitality – Holiday Inn North Beach
- Delta Hotels Shore Drive
- Dollar Bank
- Dough Boys
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)
- IMS: Gear
- LifeCents
- Mass Mutual
- Oceans Horizon
- Safelite AutoGlass
- Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel
- Summer Jobs Connect
- SunTrust
- TASTE Unlimited
- Tidewater Finance Company
- Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads
- Virginia Beach Field House
SYEP City Department Partners
- Communications Department
- 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