METRO NORTH REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT BOARD

1. METRO NORTH REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT BOARD EOPS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

2. Program Overview • Between September 9th, 2009 and February 20th, 2010, the Metro North Regional Employment Board employed 332 youth with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Executive Office of Public Safety. • Youth ages 14-24, who met income and eligibility criteria such as residing in Everett, Revere, Malden, Medford, Somerville and Woburn, worked in one of the 435 worksites offered through the program.

3. City/Town Enrollment Youth enrollment goals were set by each city/town at the onset of the program. Youth recruitment and application intake was conducted by Career Source in Cambridge and Everett, and The Career Place in Woburn.

4. Enrollment Goal Attainment The EOPS Youth Employment Program met almost 99% of the overall program enrollment goal.

5. Worksites • A total of 435 jobs were available to enrolled youth. • Worksites offering an array of job opportunities to Metro North youth were spread throughout the qualifying cities and towns surrounding areas.

6. Special Projects • In addition to the traditional worksites and job opportunities, the Metro North REB funded four special projects through the EOPS program. • The special projects were initially developed through the Summer Youth Employment Program. Special projects serving youth in eligible cities were able to reapply to the EOPS program. • Four special projects serving youth in Somerville, Medford, Everett, and Revere, were implemented: • Teen Empowerment, Somerville, Special Project initiative: Worked with 12 Somerville youth to develop a series of initiatives designed to engage large numbers of at-risk Somerville youth in efforts to change the belief systems, values, and behaviors of their peers away from negative directions and towards positive involvement in their community. • Groundwork Somerville, Somerville, Special Project initiative: Worked with 7 Somerville youththrough the school year on a number of projects: Tree planting – planning for a tree planting block party taking place in May; 2010; Assessing parks and playgrounds for active living options; Participating with both Groundwork Lawrence and Groundwork Springfield on community projects, such as invasives removal, river clean-ups and community outreach. • HOME Inc., Somerville, Special Project initiative worked with 6 Somerville and Medford youth serving as media lab and technology production assistants who worked with teams of  students during the school day and after school to provide job readiness support, guidance and supervision and  technical support in video, graphics and multi media production. • Roca, Chelsea, Special Project initiative worked with 13 Revere and Everett youth to provide high impact programming and work experience that include intensive case management, transitional employment services, education services, and leadership development and enrollment in GED training where necessary.

7. Workshop Series • Youth were provided opportunities to participate in a series of workshops lead by their respective career center counselors. • Workshops were either chosen by the youth or selected by counselors based on the needs the youth • 209 youth participated in one or more of the following workshops: • Employer Expectations: What employers look for and what is expected from working teens. • Job Search: Where to start looking for a job; Techniques for finding great jobs. • Job Applications: Practice & sample job applications; The application process; Tips for submitting an efficient, presentable application. • Resumes: Sample resumes; Tips & Step by Step to drafting your resume and cover letter; References. • Interviews: Interview preparations; Tips for interviewing; Practice Q&A; The follow up • Workplace Etiquette: Workplace expectations; Attire Do’s and Don’ts; Cell phone use. • Financial Education: Budgeting techniques and activities; Beginner Banking; Credit Cards; & Your credit report. • In addition, 127 youth had the opportunity to complete a “budget reality check” on the MCIS Web site.

8. Results A worksite supervisor survey was conducted to assess youth behavior in relation to their work experience and performance from the start of their employment compared to the end of their employment. The survey assessed youth in six areas of work behavior; 205 surveys were completed.

9. Youth Worksite Behavior Assessment • The sixth assessment category supervisors completed pertained to the overall impact youth had on the work of the enrolling department or agency. Of the 205 responses, 73% of youth were assessed as having a positive impact on their worksite. • The areas in which youth gained the most performance progress were Skills and Knowledge, Communication, and their ability to see themselves as Stakeholders at their worksites, contributing to the overall goals that their employers are working to attain. • The largest percentage of youth fell into the category of “maintained their initial level of skills and/or behavior.” Of these youth, the average rating they received from supervisors, from a rating of 1 to 3 (“1” being the lowest), was a 2.5 or higher. Since many of them had previous work experience, they began these new positions at a high rate of ability and/or performance. • Responsibility/Accountability and Performance Initiative showed the smallest increase of improvement rating, although there was still positive change in these categories. This information will guide the development of additional workshops or trainings to focus on and address these areas.

10. Feedback • A youth survey, which included questions on enrollee basic demographic information and worksite job assessment and satisfaction, was conducted for all EOPS enrollees. • Each survey gave respondents the opportunity to provide any additional comments or feedback. • All surveys were anonymous. • 48% of all enrollees (144 youth) returned a survey. • Surveys were collected from youth in all participating cities and towns: Everett 20%, Revere 26%, Malden 19%, Somerville 16%, Medford 11%, Woburn 8% • Respondents Bio: • 40% Male, 60% Female • Age ranges were from 14-25. The largest group of respondents, 63%, were 16, 17 or 18 years old. • 63% of respondents were currently attending high school

11. Youth Survey Results • ABOUT THE JOB: • WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB, BESIDES RECEIVING A PAYCHECK? • Learning New Things 37% Job Satisfaction 8% • Having Something to Do 15% Teamwork 8% • Helping Others 15% Making New Friends 2% • Meeting People 14% Going Places/Trips 1% • WHAT ARE THE TOP TWO VALUES YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE? • Responsibility 35% Self Empowerment 6% • Hard Work 16% Cooperation 6% • Respect 10% Compassion 5% • Patience 9% Honesty/Integrity 5% • Independence 7% Loyalty 1% • WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT NEW SKILL YOU GAINED FROM YOUR WORK EXPEREINECE? • Teamwork 23% Professionalism 12% • Working Independently 14% Understanding All Aspects of the Business 10% • Taking Initiative 14% Punctuality 9% • Teaching Others 12% Effective Communication 6% • HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR OVERALL JOB EXPERIENCE? • Excellent 46% • Above Average 38% • Average 15% • Poor 1%

12. Youth Survey Results • ABOUT THEIR PAYCHECKS: • WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR PAYCHECK ON? • Help with Household Expenses 26% Lend money to family/Friends 8% • Buy Clothes 24% Purchase a Car 4% • Savings Account 23% Pay for Tuition 3% • Entertainment 11% Go on a Trip 1% • OPTIONS: • IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THIS JOB, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE SPENT YOUR TIME? • Looking for a job 63% Baby sitting 4% • Hanging out with friends 15% Volunteering 3% • Working at another job 14% Traveling 1% • ABOUT THEIR FUTURE: • WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR WHEN THE EOPS JOB PROGRAM ENDS? • Get a part-time/after school job 37% • Go to College/Higher Education 28% • Get a full time job 16% • Don’t Know 14% • Get my GED 5%

13. Youth Survey Results • ABOUT THEIR FUTURE: (Cont.) • WHAT TYPE OF JOB WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AFTER THIS OR NEXT SUMMER? • Child Care/Working with Children 40% Peer Leader 2% • Office Work/Computer 16% Environmental 2% • Customer Service 10% Tutor/Classroom Education 1% • Maintenance/Custodial 10% Working with Animals 1% • Food Service 5% Tutor/Classroom Education 1% • Health Care/Elder Care 5% At a Police Station 1% • Arts/Theatre 4% Life Guard/Swim Instructor 1% • Supermarket 3% Library 0% • IN WHAT AREA DO YOU NEED THE MOST HELP TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE? • Job Search/Resume/Interview Skills 31% Communication Skills 7% • College Application 23% Computer Skills 7% • Financial Education 16% Problem Solving Skills 4% • Academic Skills 12%

14. Next Steps • The EOPS Youth Employment Program served over 100 older/out of school youth. Although youth were aware that the employment program was temporary, the Metro North REB took action to work with these youth in providing guidance and resource information for education and career success, including: • GED PROGRAMS, locations and contacts. • TRAINING & TRADE PROGRAMS, locations, contacts, and summary of trade/training. • COMMUNITY COLLEGES, location, contacts, program information, application, and financial aid information. • CAREER EXPLORATION, resources for local career exploration programs, locations & contacts. • OTHER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES: • CAREER CENTER PROGRAMS • COMMUNITY RESOURCES & PROGRAMS • LEARNING CENTERS