The Connecticut Youth Employment and Training Program offers more than a summer job. It’s an annual employment opportunity training youth in the skills that employers are seeking, including skills for health careers, worker safety, clerical, landscaping, human services, food preparation, and more.

Offered through the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board in partnership with EASTCONN, Norwich Human Services and New London Youth Affairs, the Connecticut Youth Employment program is for eligible youth, ages 14 to 24, who reside in eastern Connecticut. Participants are paid minimum wage to work approximately 80-100 hours during July and August, while some internships continue even longer. In-person or remote internships include trainings in pre-employability skills, such as résumé writing, goal setting, career interests and lifestyle budgeting, as well as getting connected with their local community. The purpose of the program is to help youth obtain the skills needed for their career pathway.

You must be a resident of one of these towns to apply: Ashford, Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, East Lyme, Eastford, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Hampton, Jewett City, Killingly, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Mystic, New London, North Stonington, Mansfield, Montville, Old Lyme, Norwich, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Salem, Scotland, Sprague, Sterling, Stonington, Thompson, Union, Voluntown, Willington, Windham, Woodstock, and Waterford. 

WIOA In-School Youth Program: COOL (Careers of Our Lives) Directions

EASTCONN, in collaboration with New London Youth Affairs and Norwich Human Services, engages and prepares in-school youth from the Windham, Danielson, Norwich and New London areas (high school juniors or seniors aged 16-18 who meet the WIOA eligibility guidelines and have barriers to employment).

The program provides: 

• Academic support, career assessment, and transition planning
• Career exploration and labor market information
• Job placement/internship/work-based learning opportunities
• Portfolios documenting all components of the COOL Directions Pipeline program
• Financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills, basic skills in reading and math and life skills training
• Youth mentorship with a caring adult
• Leadership, communication and team-building skill development

An integral component of the COOL Directions program is the temporary paid internship experience. Participants will apply and be interviewed for individualized worksite internships that are related to the youth’s career ladder/pipeline interests. These internships foster growth in work readiness skill development.

For additional information about COOL Directions please contact:

Cyndi WellsAssistant Director, Adult and Community Programscwells@eastconn.org

860-455-1572

EASTCONN Youth Employment

EASTCONN administers the WIOA Youth Employment Program for the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board. EASTCONN subcontracts with Norwich Youth and Family Services and New London Youth Affairs for the delivery of program services in the Southeast Region.

The program serves youth in the following towns: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Union, Willington, Windham and Woodstock.

EASTCONN Community Learning Center 
1320 Main St, Suite #25, Willimantic, CT 06226 
Phone: 860-455-2311 Fax: 860-455-0691
Program Contact:  Kelsie Rivera, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EASTCONN Northeast Learning Center
562 Westcott Road, Danielson, CT 06239
Phone: 860-455-1573 Fax: 860-779-3384
Program Contact: Connie Sipos, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Norwich Youth and Family Services

This program serves youth in the following towns: Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, Griswold, Jewett City, Lisbon, Montville, Norwich, Preston, Sprague and Voluntown.

Norwich Youth and Family Services 
80 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 
Phone: 860-823-3778 Fax: 860-823-3793
Program Contact: Hector Sanchez, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

New London Youth Affairs

The program serves youth in the following towns: East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Mystic, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington and Waterford.

New London Youth Affairs
111 Union St, New London, CT 06320 
Phone: 860-440-6653 or 860-442-4994 Fax: 860-443-1795
Program Contact: Paola Cruz, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jobs, Education and Training (JET)

Get a JET Start On Your Future!

J.E.T. (Jobs, Education and Training) is a free program for 17 to 24 year-olds who want to start their career path. J.E.T. students work with a career advisor, a job developer and a teacher on high school completion, job training, work readiness skills and/or a job search. Eligible students are supported with financial assistance for child care, transportation, driver education and other support services.

JET Program Interest Form

Program partners include EASTCONN, Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board, New London Adult Education, Norwich Adult Education and the Thames Valley Council for Community Action.

• Career Exploration: Take part in paid internships, on-the-job trainings, job shadows, job searches and post-secondary trainings.
• Work Readiness: Gain skills in resume writing, dressing for success, interview techniques, basic computer literacy, and more.
• Education and Training: Obtain a free high school diploma or GED. Flexible scheduling and part-time attendance are offered. Post-secondary education or occupational skills training is available, pending funding. Financial assistance and transportation is available for eligible participants.
• Training Certificates: Earn a nationally recognized credential in Customer Service.

JET Flyer

For more information, eligibility requirements, or to register for JET please contact:

Cindy ChesterLead Career Advisorcchester@eastconn.org

860-779-3770