Westminster, MD, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Carroll County Economic Development and Carroll County Workforce Development (CCWD) are pleased to share successful outcomes from the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which assigned local youth between 16-18 years of age with local businesses. This year, 37 youth were placed at 18 unique businesses around Carroll County. Students worked in summer employment positions for six weeks, in a variety of jobs including recreation, retail, human resources, warehouse, technology, office, and others.  

Carroll County Government hires the youth participants, handles all the paperwork, and pays for all wages, taxes, and insurance through dedicated grant funding.  Businesses receive no-cost workers to boost production and service while also investing in the future local workforce.  Businesses provide valuable work experience and mentoring to young residents with the added benefit of sometimes hiring long-term regular employees. Other benefits include improved career and school aspirations, school and job readiness skills. 

Additional takeaways:

  • 5 enrichment days provided to develop professional and soft skills
  • 5 business leaders presented to youth participants during business panels 
  • 29 youth completed a CareerScope Assessment Profile 
  • 32 youth attended a job fair 
  • 28 youth participated in mock interviews
  • College intern hired to manage and assist with this year’s program

Participants shared the following highlights about the program:

  • 89% of youth believed that the mock interview session was one of the best activities offered
  • 83% of youth noted being better prepared to interview 
  • 87% stated they feel better prepared for their next job 

“We are always excited to provide summer employment opportunities for our youth, a program that benefits both young workers and employers,” said Carroll County Workforce Development Manager Heather Powell. “This is an exciting initiative that positively impacts employment and career options for our youth.  We continue to appreciate all the businesses that work with us as we develop our future workforce!”

Carroll County Workforce Development works with youth customers throughout the year. For more information, please visit the website, contact info@carrollworks.com, or call 410-386-2820 and reference youth services.  

Carroll County Workforce Development operations and programming are supported by federal, state, and local resources. The federal funding for Program Year 2025 is $1,560,810.74. This represents 55.14% of available funds.

Carroll County Workforce Development (CCWD) is an office of the Carroll County Department of Economic Development. CCWD administers the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act in collaboration with the Carroll Workforce Development Board and is dedicated to employment, training, and workforce development. It is part of America’s Job Network and offers services Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call 410-386-2820 or visit the website at www.carrollworks.com.