Information for Businesses

• STEP-UP recruits, trains and places youth, ages 16 – 21, in paid summer jobs with local employers.  Last summer, 131 employers hired over 600 Minneapolis youth. 
• STEP-UP students are competitively selected and complete a rigorous work readiness training program certified by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• STEP-UP is a summer employment program for diverse, skilled and motivated youth.  In its fifth year, STEP-UP is operated by Achieve!Minneapolis, in affiliation with the Minneapolis Mayor and City Council’s youth summer jobs campaign.
  

How it Works

• Employers identify job opportunities in their workplace for youth.
• STEP-UP matches students with jobs based on the student’s career interests and skills.
• Employers interview students and make the final hiring decision.
• STEP-UP provides ongoing support to students and supervisors to ensure success.

Who Benefits

• Your Business – students are reliable and motivated. 94% of supervisors said the STEP-UP program was a success at their company.
• Local Youth – a meaningful summer job inspires youth to pursue their education and career dreams. 95% of youth said their summer job was a valuable learning experience.
• Your Community – employing Minneapolis students is an investment in the city’s vitality and future workforce.  90% of youth in the STEP-UP program graduated from high school compared to the Minneapolis Public Schools overall graduation rate of 67%.
  

Who is Involved

• Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
• STEP-UP chair
  • Richard Davis, president and CEO, U.S. Bancorp

How to Qualify as a STEP-UP Employer

• Provide employment for 6 – 10 weeks for 20-40 hours/week.
• Pay at least $7.00 per hour.
• Jobs must be located within Minneapolis or accessible by bus.
• Dates of employment are June 16-August 31, 2008.
  

For more information on pledging a job, email Achieve!Minneapolis or call (612) 455-1558.

STEP-UP Program Contacts