WHAT IS HYPE?

HYPE (Helping Youth Prepare for Employment) is a collaboration between the entities below to form one youth employment network free to the public with each program having its own strengths. The collaborative goal is to educate youth in business practices within a classroom setting and assist them in finding employment. The employment options include obtaining a job at one of the youth-targeted job fairs, utilizing their new job skills to acquire employment on their own or the possibility of being placed directly into a paid work experience. The majority of the activities occur during the summer months to avoid interfering with school programs


Youth Employment Project

The Youth Employment Project is part of the employment services extended to youth via the Workforce Alliance. Ideal ages are 16-19 for placement, but ages 14 and 15 can attend the pre-employment workshops

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The Way to Work Program

The Way to Work (TWTW) Summer Youth Program is designed to empower youth ages 14 -17 with the tools and resources needed to become successful employees – now and in the future! TWTW seeks to provide positive work experiences, self-sufficiency skills, and meet the needs of the community. Participants receive up to 20 hours of paid employment per week after training for approximately 8 weeks each summer.

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Job Prep

The Greater Wichita YMCA sponsors an in-depth job training program, equipping youth with resume and interview training, and additional work skills as they apply for job openings in the local area.

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Why youth employment?

“It’s just incredibly important to invest in our future, to invest in our community… It’s not just workers, it’s leaders that we’re grooming here.”

Jeff Longwell
Former Wichita Mayor