Our Work - Putting Kids on the Right Path

Not everyone has someone to show them the ropes — to teach basic life skills like good communication, working with others, receiving feedback or just showing up. That’s where Dakota County’s youth employment programming comes in.

The county uses both state and federal programs to give youth who face economic and social barriers the chance to gain meaningful work experience. According to research, youth with work experience are more likely to stay in school and avoid criminal behavior and drugs.

As part of the state’s Minnesota Youth Program, the county works with Tree Trust, a local nonprofit, to help youth ages 14–21 hone life skills. During the nine-week summer program, teens and young adults work together to complete landscaping and construction projects. They learn how to properly use tools, be safe on a jobsite and follow directions. They also get mentoring to help set and pursue goals, learn personal finance, create a resume and build leadership skills.

The program mostly works with at risk and low-income youth, youth in foster care, those in the criminal justice system and teen parents. They are referred to the program through community organizations and schools.

In 2023, 45 Dakota County youth were in the program — a 25-percent increase from the 36 enrolled in 2022. According to the state, each dollar spent yielded a $9.29 return on investment.

Dakota County also provides year-round services with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act youth program. This federal program works mostly with out-of-school youth ages 16–24 who face barriers to education, training and employment. Its focus is to help youth graduate from high school or obtain their GED and explore more advanced educational opportunities. Mentoring and work training are also components.

The county partners with the nonprofit Hired to provide one-on-one workplace skills training, help with job searches, including costs like transportation and interview clothing, and internship placement. Youth can learn a mix of skills such as screen printing and woodworking at Elpis Enterprises, child care at the YMCA, or retail sales at Lip Esteem or The Salvation Army.

During the 2022 program year, Dakota and Scott counties served 130 youth. Nearly 66 percent of participants continued education or training activities or held employment six months after exiting the program. After a year, 92 percent had gained employment or continued education or training.

To get started with youth employment programming, contact CareerForce in West St. Paul at 651-554-5955.