Career Source Broward sets up employment pipeline system

The current worker shortage acted as a catalyst behind Career Source Broward's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

The program focuses on developing an employment pipeline which essentially means that an employee will work in multiple fields and get soft skills training in multiple areas which facilitates them to make better decisions about their career path. This system is especially important during times of labor crisis as it allows one employee to fill multiple roles. 18-year-old Alexia Bynes who is part of the program and works at the Riverside Hotel says she's learned from 6 different positions, "In Wild Sea, I was a hostess, a food runner, I with a little bit of everything, in HR, file, scan, and inventory today, I've been inserting things." says Bynes.

SYEP aims to help guide youth toward a career that interests them so before they're placed, participants take up several courses to build up soft skills. The program has around 700 participants and 75 employers providing employment in various fields including construction, social services dentistry, optometry, and hospitality to name a few. It's a great way for future employers to connect with emplores, network, and create lasting impressions. SYEP is not just about experience, the young adults get paid $14 an hour. Employers who are part of the program believe that it helps in building the confidence of the participants, they are shy at first but once they've worked in multiple roles they have the confidence to take on bigger tasks. 

According to the US Labor Department, there was a 6% employment gain over the last year in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. 

Source: CBS News