Connecticut Youth Employment Program is growing: Gov. Ned Lamont [Video]

The initiative was created to help young residents explore careers and enter the job market.

Lamont’s office said that the initiative was created to help young people explore careers and enter the job market. The YWCA Hartford Region is one of many partners in Connecticut that are hiring youths through the program, which the state’s Department of Labor oversees, and the state’s five Workforce Development Boards administers.

Recently, Lamont doubled funding for the program from $5 million in fiscal year 2024 to $10 million in fiscal year 2025. His office said the program connects young people ages 14-24 with important opportunities that allow them to view possible careers and work together with professionals.

The professionals then help them build career networks. Through the process, young people receive job training while earning a paycheck.

“The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is a valuable workforce development initiative that gives young people an opportunity …