METRO NORTH REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT BOARD EOPS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Between September 9 th, 2009 and February 20 th, 2010, the Metro North Regional Employment Board employed 332 youth with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Executive Office of Public Safety. Youth ages 14-24, who met income and eligibility criteria such as residing in Everett, Revere, Malden, Medford, Somerville and Woburn, worked in one of the 435 worksites offered through the program. Program Overview

City/Town Enrollment Youth enrollment goals were set by each city/town at the onset of the program. Youth recruitment and application intake was conducted by Career Source in Cambridge and Everett, and The Career Place in Woburn.

Enrollment Goal Attainment The EOPS Youth Employment Program met almost 99% of the overall program enrollment goal.

Worksites A total of 435 jobs were available to enrolled youth. Worksites offering an array of job opportunities to Metro North youth were spread throughout the qualifying cities and towns surrounding areas. CommunityWorksitesAvailable Jobs Everett1665 Revere2287 Malden2158 Medford1227 Somerville24105 Woburn1740 Sub Total Boston422 Burlington12 Cambridge11 Chelsea36 Lexington14 Stoneham113 Wilmington11 Winchester14 Sub Total1353 Grand Total125435

Special Projects In addition to the traditional worksites and job opportunities, the Metro North REB funded four special projects through the EOPS program. The special projects were initially developed through the Summer Youth Employment Program. Special projects serving youth in eligible cities were able to reapply to the EOPS program. Four special projects serving youth in Somerville, Medford, Everett, and Revere, were implemented:  Teen Empowerment, Somerville, Special Project initiative: Worked with 12 Somerville youth to develop a series of initiatives designed to engage large numbers of at-risk Somerville youth in efforts to change the belief systems, values, and behaviors of their peers away from negative directions and towards positive involvement in their community.  Groundwork Somerville, Somerville, Special Project initiative: Worked with 7 Somerville youth through the school year on a number of projects: Tree planting – planning for a tree planting block party taking place in May; 2010; Assessing parks and playgrounds for active living options; Participating with both Groundwork Lawrence and Groundwork Springfield on community projects, such as invasives removal, river clean-ups and community outreach.  HOME Inc., Somerville, Special Project initiative worked with 6 Somerville and Medford youth serving as media lab and technology production assistants who worked with teams of students during the school day and after school to provide job readiness support, guidance and supervision and technical support in video, graphics and multi media production.  Roca, Chelsea, Special Project initiative worked with 13 Revere and Everett youth to provide high impact programming and work experience that include intensive case management, transitional employment services, education services, and leadership development and enrollment in GED training where necessary.

CITY/ WORKSITE EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS JOB APPLICATIONS RESUMES & JOB TIPS & TECHNIQUES INTERVIEWS WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE FINANCIAL EDUCATION # YOUTH Everett 39 Malden 37 Medford Revere Somerville Woburn18 TOTALS Youth were provided opportunities to participate in a series of workshops lead by their respective career center counselors. Workshops were either chosen by the youth or selected by counselors based on the needs the youth 209 youth participated in one or more of the following workshops:  Employer Expectations: What employers look for and what is expected from working teens.  Job Search: Where to start looking for a job; Techniques for finding great jobs.  Job Applications: Practice & sample job applications; The application process; Tips for submitting an efficient, presentable application.  Resumes: Sample resumes; Tips & Step by Step to drafting your resume and cover letter; References.  Interviews: Interview preparations; Tips for interviewing; Practice Q&A; The follow up  Workplace Etiquette: Workplace expectations; Attire Do’s and Don’ts; Cell phone use.  Financial Education: Budgeting techniques and activities; Beginner Banking; Credit Cards; & Your credit report. In addition, 127 youth had the opportunity to complete a “budget reality check” on the MCIS Web site. Workshop Series

EVALUATION CATEGORY Percent of Youth Reported as Having Shown Improvement From Initial Level Percent of Youth Reported as Having Regressed From Initial Level Percent of Youth Reported as Having Maintained Initial Level Overall Category Performance Increase from the Start to the End of Employment for All Youth Combined COMMUNICATION: Does the youth employee communicate information, problems, questions and ideas to supervisors, co-workers and customers effectively? 38%4%58%17.50% RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY: Does the youth employee take accountability for his/her actions, mistakes? Is the youth responsible about scheduling and timeliness? 20%6%74%6.70% SKILL & KNOWLEDGE: Is the youth employee knowledgeable and skilled at the required job tasks? 41%3%56%19.80% PERFORMANCE & INITIATIVE: Does the youth employee take initiative to complete tasks? Is the youth performing work at an acceptable level? 25%4%71%9.90% STAKEHOLDER: Does the youth employee see his/her role at the worksite as contributing to the whole of the organization or affecting the worksite/departments “big picture” and the performance of co-workers? 31%3%66%15.40% A worksite supervisor survey was conducted to assess youth behavior in relation to their work experience and performance from the start of their employment compared to the end of their employment. The survey assessed youth in six areas of work behavior; 205 surveys were completed. Results

Youth Worksite Behavior Assessment The sixth assessment category supervisors completed pertained to the overall impact youth had on the work of the enrolling department or agency. Of the 205 responses, 73% of youth were assessed as having a positive impact on their worksite. The areas in which youth gained the most performance progress were Skills and Knowledge, Communication, and their ability to see themselves as Stakeholders at their worksites, contributing to the overall goals that their employers are working to attain. The largest percentage of youth fell into the category of “maintained their initial level of skills and/or behavior.” Of these youth, the average rating they received from supervisors, from a rating of 1 to 3 (“1” being the lowest), was a 2.5 or higher. Since many of them had previous work experience, they began these new positions at a high rate of ability and/or performance. Responsibility/Accountability and Performance Initiative showed the smallest increase of improvement rating, although there was still positive change in these categories. This information will guide the development of additional workshops or trainings to focus on and address these areas.

Feedback Respondents Bio:  40% Male, 60% Female  Age ranges were from The largest group of respondents, 63%, were 16, 17 or 18 years old.  63% of respondents were currently attending high school  A youth survey, which included questions on enrollee basic demographic information and worksite job assessment and satisfaction, was conducted for all EOPS enrollees.  Each survey gave respondents the opportunity to provide any additional comments or feedback.  All surveys were anonymous.  48% of all enrollees (144 youth) returned a survey.  Surveys were collected from youth in all participating cities and towns: Everett 20%, Revere 26%, Malden 19%, Somerville 16%, Medford 11%, Woburn 8%

Youth Survey Results ABOUT THE JOB:  WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB, BESIDES RECEIVING A PAYCHECK? Learning New Things37%Job Satisfaction8% Having Something to Do15%Teamwork8% Helping Others15%Making New Friends2% Meeting People14%Going Places/Trips1%  WHAT ARE THE TOP TWO VALUES YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE? Responsibility35%Self Empowerment6% Hard Work16%Cooperation6% Respect10%Compassion5% Patience9%Honesty/Integrity5% Independence7%Loyalty1%  WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT NEW SKILL YOU GAINED FROM YOUR WORK EXPEREINECE? Teamwork23%Professionalism12% Working Independently14%Understanding All Aspects of the Business10% Taking Initiative14%Punctuality9% Teaching Others12%Effective Communication6%  HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR OVERALL JOB EXPERIENCE? Excellent46% Above Average38% Average15% Poor1%

ABOUT THEIR PAYCHECKS:  WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR PAYCHECK ON? Help with Household Expenses26%Lend money to family/Friends8% Buy Clothes24%Purchase a Car4% Savings Account23%Pay for Tuition3% Entertainment11%Go on a Trip1% OPTIONS:  IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THIS JOB, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE SPENT YOUR TIME? Looking for a job63%Baby sitting4% Hanging out with friends15%Volunteering3% Working at another job14%Traveling1% ABOUT THEIR FUTURE:  WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR WHEN THE EOPS JOB PROGRAM ENDS? Get a part-time/after school job37% Go to College/Higher Education28% Get a full time job16% Don’t Know14% Get my GED5% Youth Survey Results

ABOUT THEIR FUTURE: (Cont.)  WHAT TYPE OF JOB WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AFTER THIS OR NEXT SUMMER? Child Care/Working with Children40%Peer Leader2% Office Work/Computer16%Environmental2% Customer Service10%Tutor/Classroom Education 1% Maintenance/Custodial10%Working with Animals1% Food Service5%Tutor/Classroom Education1% Health Care/Elder Care5%At a Police Station1% Arts/Theatre4%Life Guard/Swim Instructor1% Supermarket3%Library0%  IN WHAT AREA DO YOU NEED THE MOST HELP TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE? Job Search/Resume/Interview Skills31%Communication Skills7% College Application23%Computer Skills7% Financial Education16%Problem Solving Skills4% Academic Skills12%

Next Steps The EOPS Youth Employment Program served over 100 older/out of school youth. Although youth were aware that the employment program was temporary, the Metro North REB took action to work with these youth in providing guidance and resource information for education and career success, including:  GED PROGRAMS, locations and contacts.  TRAINING & TRADE PROGRAMS, locations, contacts, and summary of trade/training.  COMMUNITY COLLEGES, location, contacts, program information, application, and financial aid information.  CAREER EXPLORATION, resources for local career exploration programs, locations & contacts.  OTHER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES: CAREER CENTER PROGRAMS COMMUNITY RESOURCES & PROGRAMS LEARNING CENTERS