Overview
The Youth Employment Program (YEP), managed by the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation and active since 2018, connects rising seniors and recent high school graduates with eight-week, paid internships across the Port Arthur community LinkedIn+15Beaumont Enterprise+15Beaumont Enterprise+15.
2025 Highlights
- 11 students from Woodrow Wilson Early College, Port Arthur Memorial, and Nederland High Schools participated this year Beaumont Enterprise.
- They interned in diverse settings including Allied IT Systems, Gulf Coast Cardiology, the health department, the police department, parks & rec, Welding World Academy, and Escobedo Insurance Agency Beaumont Enterprise.
Student Impact
- At Allied IT Systems, two interns—Clayton Harrison and Lucas Barton—got immersive exposure to career-ready practices. Harrison discovered his passion for IT, while Barton, interested in robotics, gained hands-on insights to support his future goals Beaumont Enterprise+1Beaumont Enterprise+1.
- Placements at the health department inspired Julissa Cardenas to pursue nursing, and at the insurance agency, Kereona Washington honed professional communication skills Beaumont Enterprise.
Employer & Community Feedback
- Employers praised participants’ dedication and work ethic. Scott Price from Allied IT remarked that the students were proactive—even in demanding conditions—and truly embodied local talent worth investing in Beaumont Enterprise.
- Health Services Director Judith Smith noted that several program graduates eventually joined the health department staff—proof the program serves as a real pipeline into local careers Beaumont Enterprise.
Program Goals & Value
- The program gives young locals marketable job experience, work-readiness skills, and career clarity. Through placement in businesses aligned with students’ interests, it helps chart clear educational and professional paths—all while strengthening Port Arthur’s workforce pipeline Beaumont Enterprise.
Why It Matters
This initiative isn’t just about summer jobs—it’s a strategic investment in the region’s future workforce. By offering structured, real-world training early on, the YEP accelerates both personal and community-level growth, helping students build confidence and local employers cultivate skilled talent from right at home.
If you’d like more info on eligibility, the application process, or high school partnerships supporting this program, I’d be happy to dig further!