Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
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Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 1.23 Expand the Youth Works Program to better align youth talent pipeline to business needs
Shared Economic Prosperity
Description
The Durham YouthWorks program is a talent development program that provides training and experience to Durham youth between the ages of 14 and 24. As part of an overall expansion plan to reach the over 1,000 youth submitting applications annually, the program incorporates both virtual and in-person engagements targeting experiences that build workforce capacity and close the skills gap facing Durham youth, specifically focusing on STEM and STEM related career pathways.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
The 2025 YouthWorks Program engaged 677 participants who qualified for stipends through virtual training and 7–9 week in-person work placements, including 50 hosted by City departments. Across 2023, 2024, and 2025, the program has averaged more than 675 participants annually, indicating consistently strong engagement. These opportunities provided youth with practical skills, mentorship, and exposure to high-demand industries while addressing local workforce gaps.
Youth Works Participants
Why is it important?
Offering youth opportunities for paid work experiences and career exploration in high-demand industries is crucial for community development. It gives young individuals practical skills, preparing them for the workforce and helps them make informed career choices. By addressing youth unemployment, communities foster economic engagement and contribute to the growth of a skilled workforce. Engaging young people in meaningful work experiences can also fosters civic responsibility, break cycles of poverty, and address workforce gaps in industries facing talent shortages. Moreover, the positive mentoring relationships formed during these experiences have lasting impacts on personal and professional development.
What have we been doing?
Staff successfully closed out DurhamYouthWorks (DYW) 2025 and are actively building toward an expanded and improved 2026 program year, with improvements to program systems, payment workflows, and participant support.
Key activities include:
• Closing out DYW 2025 with 677 participants — including 50 placed at 16 partner sites for 7–9 weeks — and distributing credentials including 360+ Microsoft Suite, 14 HIPAA, 5 OSHA-10, and 15 Food Service Safety certifications.
• Revising SOPs for PY2026 workflows and transitioning to EFT/Direct Deposit in partnership with Procurement and Finance.
• Initiating CRM vendor demos for a new participant portal and advancing discussions with regional banking partners for Financial Literacy Integration.
• Supporting the Duke Health MaryAnn Black Internship, which placed 22 students.
Spotlight: Participation over time: 586 (2022), 613 (2023), 744 (2024), 677 (2025).
What's next?
Preparations for DYW 2026 and long-term program growth will continue through the following activities:
• Participant Portal Launch – Opening the Participant Interest Portal to improve the enrollment experience.
• YouthWorks 2026 Orientation – Conducting orientation and launching the Part 1 Virtual Program.
• Provider Contracting – Contracting virtual program providers and finalizing partnership agreements.
• Participant Placement – Placing youth at partner sites for the summer program, operating June–September.
• Long-Term Program Development – Advancing plans for a Year-Round YouthWorks Model, Career Summit, Alumni Network, and Citywide 'YouthWorks Week.'
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
Budget and Management Services Department
Office of Performance and Innovation
Strategy and Performance Division