City of Little Rock 311

Little Rock Career Climb

As the baby boomers age out of the workforce, there is a growing need for young employees with the skills and work habits to be productive partners for economic growth. The City of Little Rock’s Career Climb Program allows youth to learn about careers while earning a wage during the summer. Community business partners offer summer positions as a partner with the City of Little Rock and community stakeholders to develop the critical skills necessary to be successful members of the workforce. 

SYEO is transforming our traditional 6-week internship program to better serve the needs of our residents and local businesses more holistically. Initially city-sponsored, we have shifted to a community-supported model that leverages the strength of our local business community, and it is called, Little Rock Career Climb.  This new approach creates more opportunities for sustainable, long-term partnerships, allowing businesses to play a direct role in developing future talent. This benefits both the interns and the companies they support. This shift not only provides a broader and more diverse range of career opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships but also strengthens our local economy by aligning educational growth with real-world business needs.

As a business host partner, businesses are asked to teach youth the value of earning a wage which encourages them to build employability skills and work ethic leading down a pathway to productive employment. This is accomplished by the assignment of a supervisor to advise and assist a participant on work assignments. 

Research shows that youth who work part-time during the school year and participate in summer employment have a greater attachment to the labor market. The City of Little Rock Department of Community Programs also employs staff titled Mentors to ensure quality, safe, enjoyable work environments for employers and youth employees.

 

 

For employers interested in participating in the City of Little Rock’s Career Climb Program, please call:

Monica Montgomery
(501) 399-3420
mmontgomery@littlerock.gov