Albany proposes Mayor’s Summer Youth Work Program focused on job readiness, internships

ALBANY — City leaders are considering a new summer work force initiative aimed at providing paid job opportunities and career training for local high school students, a proposal presented during Tuesday’s Albany City Commission meeting.

The Mayor’s Summer Youth Work Program, also referred to as the Workforce Readiness Academy, would run from June 1 through July 24 and serve approximately 20 students ages 16 to 18 who are currently enrolled in high school.

Under the proposal, participants would work up to 30 hours per week in paid internship roles, assigned to city departments or partner organizations. Work schedules would run Monday through Thursday, with Fridays reserved for structured work force training sessions focused on financial literacy, resume writing, interview preparation, work place professionalism and career exploration. 

Towanna Howard, the city’s human resources director, said the Mayor’s Summer Youth Work Program is designed to provide more than just summer employment, emphasizing skill development and long-term work force readiness.

“This is about creating opportunity while preparing students for what comes next,” Howard said during the meeting, noting the program’s dual focus on hands-on experience and classroom-style instruction.

The initiative would initially operate through departmental placements, giving students direct exposure to municipal roles and the types of positions the city regularly hires for. Howard said similar programs in other Georgia cities have expanded through partnerships with local employers and community organizations, with businesses committing to host interns or provide summer employment opportunities.

To support recruitment, the city plans to coordinate a centralized hiring event during which students can meet with participating employers and explore available positions.

Alongside their daily work assignments, participants would complete a project connected to their internship, giving them an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a meaningful, results-driven way. Fridays will shift the focus to peer learning through “Workforce Literacy Friday,” during which students engage in guided discussions, group exercises and mentorship-style activities designed to build confidence, reinforce workplace expectations and help participants learn from one another’s experiences.

Howard said the initiative is intended to help build a pipeline of future workers while strengthening relationships between local employers and the city.

“This creates a direct connection between our youth and the employers who may one day hire them full-time,” she said.

The proposed program carries an estimated cost of $57,600 from the city’s general fund, covering wages for participants and program coordination over the eight-week period.

Similar youth employment programs have been implemented in other Georgia cities with measurable results. In Atlanta, the city’s long-running summer youth employment program has served thousands of students annually, with participants gaining work experience across both public and private sectors. In Savannah, youth work force initiatives supported through regional work force boards have reported improved job placement rates and increased post-secondary enrollment among participants. State work force officials have said early employment experiences can significantly improve long-term job outcomes, particularly for students in underserved communities.

Commissioners noted the benefits of the Mayor’s Summer Youth Work Program include providing meaningful summer employment, improving financial literacy and professional skills among youths, and supporting broader economic development efforts.

However, officials also acknowledged challenges, including the need for coordination among multiple partners, departmental oversight during the internship period, and potential funding constraints. Commissioners also raised questions about whether transportation assistance would be available for participants, an issue that will require further clarification.

No final vote was taken Tuesday, but commissioners were asked to approve implementation of the program and authorize staff to move forward with partner coordination, including organizing the community hiring event and finalizing internship placements.