Minneapolis is on the hunt for local businesses to open their doors to the city's youth this summer, as the Step Up internship program is currently short nearly 400 positions for eager teens and young adults. According to a recent article, 1,200 individuals have completed their training and are ready to dive into the workforce but are hanging in the balance unless more employers come forward.

Mayor Jacob Frey highlighted the program's importance, stating "Hiring youth is not only an investment in their individual future, it’s an investment in the future of our city," evidently endorsing the initiative that sees teens and young adults learning and contributing to the workplace if we provide opportunities for them, the mayor's office has been a long-standing supporter of Step Up since its inception. Established in 2003, Step Up has seen a two-decade legacy with each mayor's backing, bolstering its position as a respected vehicle for young talent in Minneapolis.

Jonathan Weinhagen, CEO of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that Step Up is invaluable for creating a robust talent pipeline crucial for the local economy and shared his thoughts on the program's dual benefits: "We know firsthand that hosting an intern at your business can make a big impact in the life of a young person. You get the benefit of new ideas and extra help around the office, and you can feel good about paying it forward as you help grow the workers of our future," Weinhagen said, according to the city's announcement.

Over its robust twenty-plus years, Step Up has partnered with more than 200 community partners and employers across 15 industries, providing a noteworthy gateway for underrepresented youth in Minneapolis to gain a foothold in the professional world, this synergy between up-and-coming young minds and the business community helps not only to diversify the workforce but to build a sustainable base of skilled workers for the entire Twin Cities area.

Step Up seamlessly categorizes its interns into two levels, based on age, and has them undergo work readiness training that covers essential workplace skills, which includes communication, understanding work documents, payroll taxes, goal-setting, and professional branding. The younger interns typically engage with nonprofits or public agencies with Step Up footing the bill for their wages, whereas the older group is placed in private sector businesses that handle the intern salaries themselves.

The program not only preps its interns but also provides support for the organizations that take them in, with a half-day supervisor training session scheduled for May and ongoing assistance from job coaches and Step Up staff to ensure a smooth internship experience. These internships span eight weeks from June 24 to August 16, promising a season of growth and opportunity for both interns and their hosts.

Those interested in learning more or willing to step up and host an intern can visit the Step Up employer page on the City of Minneapolis website for further details. Step Up operates under the aegis of the City of Minneapolis in partnership with key community organizations, including Achieve Twin Cities, Project for Pride in Living, and the Minnesota CareerForce Centers, part of the Department of Employment and Economic Development.