ASG Welcomes Participants for Summer Youth Employment Program

By: Tosimaeʻa Tupua

Email: tupua@opi.as.gov

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the Territory’s largest youth employment program, connecting our participants between the ages of 16 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.

Close to 1000 participants of this year’s program will have the opportunity to explore their interests and career pathways, develop workplace skills and engage in learning experiences that help in developing their social, civic and leadership skills - thanks to our government departments, especially the private sector

During the opening ceremony this morning, Lt Governor Talauega thanked the private sector for their commitment in helping the Government of American Samoa prepare the future of the Territory.

“I ask all the participants in this year’s program to please take seriously your responsibility as employers” said Lt Governor Talauega. He continued, “Please teach our young ones the skills that they need to succeed in your field. Don’t hide the good stuff for somebody else that you favor.”

This year's theme, ``Preparation for tomorrow starts today”  represents the partnership and collaboration of all partners from the private sector, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, education and community through youth and workforce development. 

Lt Governor Talauega said, the overall objective of the SYEP is to provide work experience training for our youth and to prepare them for entry skills and practical knowledge of the workforce environment.  “Open the book and show them how to do things because that is the only way our students and our future can flourish”, said Lt. Governor Talauega.

SYEP participants will be trained and employed based on their interests, income status, barriers of employment and individual employment assessments.