Mayor Michelle Wu is throwing open the city’s pipeline of paid summer jobs, with applications for Boston youth now live through the centralized futureBOS hub. The one-stop portal pulls together municipal and partner positions and is aimed at residents ages 14 to 24, offering paid work, career coaching and financial supports. An in-person hiring fair is set for this spring to match applicants with employers, and organizers say placements will run throughout the summer across city departments and local nonprofits.
Applications for paid positions are now available at futureBOS for Boston youth and young adults ages 14 to 24, according to Charlestown Bridge. The Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity says it will accept job applications on a rolling basis this year, and registrations for city-run events will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Young people who need help applying can get one-on-one assistance from YEO staff or at local hiring events.
Youth job fair and what’s on offer
The City will host a Youth Job and Resource Fair at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center on Saturday, April 18, with two timed-entry waves: Future Is Bright from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Making Money Moves from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is set to connect attendees with more than 100 employers, application assistance, opportunities to open bank accounts and a few extras like prizes. “Every young person in our City deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and get started on a strong path to their future,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in the announcement, according to Boston.gov.
Scale and partners
YEO reports it hired more than 10,500 young people last summer and will support 145 programs across 83 city agencies this year, according to Charlestown Bridge. The office says it will prioritize placements for at-risk youth through a partnership with the state's Commonwealth Corporation YouthWorks initiative. The effort builds on the original futureBOS rollout in 2024, which pushed thousands of openings citywide.
State funding pressure
The announcement comes as youth organizers earlier this spring pressed the State House to reverse proposed cuts to summer job funding, warning the reductions would shrink placements across Massachusetts. The Boston Globe reported that demonstrators asked lawmakers for $10 million to avoid immediate cuts and for larger restorations when the new fiscal year begins, putting extra pressure on local programs that rely in part on state grants. City officials say strong local partnerships and banking supports are intended to blunt the worst effects of any funding shortfall.
How to apply
For a full list of openings and a step-by-step application guide, residents can visit the City’s futureBOS hub or contact the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity for phone assistance at 617-635-4202. YEO provides in-person onboarding Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1483 Tremont Street in Roxbury for applicants who need extra help, according to Boston.gov.
