Paid Work Experiences

What is a Paid Work Experience?

A Paid Work Experience (PWE) is like an internship—an 8- to 10-week experience for young people that’s part work, part structured learning, with an opportunity for permanent hire upon completion. Youth Job Center covers all costs, including salary. YJC’s coaches provide one-on-one support to the young people who participate in order to ensure a positive experience for all.

How do employers benefit?

As an employer, you get to take on a prospective employee at zero cost to you. That’s two or more months of free service and time to evaluate a potential member of your team. You can also rest easy knowing you’re supporting a young person who deserves a chance at employment but may have faced barriers to getting there.

How do young people benefit?

PWEs offer entry-level job-seekers the opportunity to gain real-world work experience. Additionally, YJC offers clients (PWE participants) opportunities for skill development and related education prior to or during the PWE, as well as ongoing support from a personal career coach.

Eligibility and requirements for employers

Nearly any employer is eligible to participate. We simply ask that employers provide the client with structured training (this often means the client shadows an existing employee to learn on the job) and that they consider the client for permanent hire upon completion of the PWE. For more details, contact Ellen at egutoske@youthjobcenter.org or (312) 837-0396.

Interested in participating as an employer?

Contact YJC Employment Relations Manager Ellen Gutoske at egutoske@youthjobcenter.org or (312) 837-0396.

Interested in participating as an employee (young person)?

If you’re already a YJC client, contact your career coach. If you aren’t a YJC client but are interested in a PWE, fill out this interest form.