Today’s youth is tomorrow’s top workforce. In Frederick, we recognize that engaging our under 18 population is critical for building a sustainable talent pipeline for our businesses.
Here are just five ways that our community is helping to introduce younger residents to Frederick’s economy and allowing them to explore the opportunities most suited to their needs, interests, and talents.
1. LYNX Program at Frederick High School
Currently operating at Frederick High School, LYNX reinvents the high school experience by taking learning into the real world.
“LYNX” stands for Linking Youth to New Experiences. LYNX students create highly individualized plans for success that provide maximum choice and flexibility in meeting academic and career goals. Along with flexible schedules and individualized learning plans, students visit local businesses for tours and hands-on experiences, participate in virtual interactions, complete internships, and more!
To date, over 150 community partners from local businesses, higher education and government have helped enrich the LYNX experience. These partners provide resources, serve as guest speakers, provide networking experience, teach soft skills, host facility tours, and sponsor internships/apprenticeships/work study opportunities.
Take a look at how and why techfrederick and our local tech community participated in the LYNX Program’s “Day of Tech” here.
WANT YOUR BUSINESS TO BE INVOLVED? Become a partner with LYNX and help develop and train your future workforce, network with key community players, and drive innovation in Frederick County by emailing Marlon Moran, LYNX Advocate at marlon.moran@fcps.org.
Learn more at: LYNX at Frederick High | LYNX at Frederick High (fcps.org).
2. Summer Jobs Program
This exciting program connects local businesses with youth who are exploring the world of work, often for the first time. Through the Summer Jobs Program Frederick County youth have the chance to learn job readiness skills, gain work experience, explore career opportunities, grow in confidence and make valuable connections with local employers.
The Program is specifically designed to provide meaningful employment experiences to Youth (ages 14-21) who face barriers to employment, such as having a disability or being from a low-income household. Local businesses serve as worksites for participating youth, while Frederick County Workforce Services covers their pay.
In addition to working up to 25 hours a week, youth have the opportunity to participate in weekly professional development sessions. In these sessions the participants re-visits job readiness concepts for youth — helping them to make connections to what they learned and what they are experiencing in the program. Topics include workplace communication, teamwork, financial literacy, and conflict resolution.
This year’s program will run from June 21 - August 12, 2022. The participating youth can work Monday - Thursday.
WANT YOUR BUSINESS TO BE INVOLVED? If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Summer Jobs Program Coordinator at 301.600.2255 or summerjobsprogram@frederickcountymd.gov.
3. Frederick County Career Fair
2022 marked the inaugural year for a new career fair focused specifically on graduating FCPS seniors who are planning to enter the workforce after graduation. The event was hosted through a partnership of Frederick County Workforce Service, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Community College and local businesses.
Prior to the career fair, students identified work interests and possible career pathways, determined their personal skills and how to articulate those to an employer, and researched the businesses attending the career fair.
Over 300 FCPS students participated. Frederick County Workforce Services’ team is looking forward to expanding the event next year.
WANT YOUR BUSINESS TO BE INVOLVED? Additional information, including a list of past participating employers, as well as future contact information can be found online here.
4. Career and Technology Center
Located adjacent to the Frederick Community College campus, the Frederick County Career and Technology Center's mission is to prepare high students to enter the work force after graduation having received the knowledge necessary in their chosen field.
The Career and Technology Center is part of the Frederick County Public Schools system. Students in grades 10-12 from any of the ten Frederick County public high schools may apply. Each year approximately 700 students elect to get a head start on their careers and college experience by enrolling in the programs that are taught in half-day blocks at the Career and Technology Center. Students attend their home high schools the remainder of the day where they complete their academic and elective courses and participate in extracurricular activities.
The Career and Technology Center offers a diversity of studies that includes carpentry, HVAC plumbing, Cisco Networking, cybersecurity, CAD, web technology, digital design, culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive service/repair, and more!
HAVE QUESTIONS? Explore the Center online here.
5. Youth Pathways
Youth Pathways is a career exploration program for youth and young adults who are not currently attending school. Participants in this program receive instruction on essential work skills and opportunities to explore some of Frederick County’s high-demand industries through conversations with employers, visits to businesses, and a paid internship. After completion of the program individuals may have the opportunity to access funding for training that will prepare them for employment in these industries.
Eligible youth between the ages of 14 and 24 can receive the grant-funded, individualized career services at no cost. Funding is provided through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and eligible youth must demonstrate barriers to employment.
HAVE QUESTIONS? Call Youth Program Specialist, Laura Brown at 240.485.5412 or email lbrown2@frederickcountymd.gov.
Reach out to the economic development team at The City of Frederick to discuss additional workforce program opportunities at 301.600.6360 or by email at BusinessinFrederick@cityoffrederickmd.gov.