Local parks and recreation agencies have always hosted youth focused workforce development, from training lifeguards and camp counselors to providing part-time and full-time employment for young people. This panel is intended to inspire fellow park and recreation professionals to deepen existing workforce development programming and/or layer workforce development principles into related programming.
Getting park-focused youth workforce development programs off the ground is not always straight-forward. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) offers multiple program models, such as teen summer or school year crews, seasonal young adult crews, and internships. Partnerships with corps allows for flexibility in funding models, often leveraging limited local government funds with state/federal fee-for-service dollars as well as philanthropic, corporate, and individual grants
Working from the principles of NRPA’s Youth Workforce Development Framework, panelists will facilitate conversation on successes, challenges, and new ideas for workforce development programming in parks and recreation. The principles of the framework include: building on existing programs, advancing skills-based learning, adapting to an evolving workplace and developing partnerships and finding funding. This panel will highlight the experiences of practitioners working with youth in park and recreation based workforce development programs, from teaching youth skills for outdoor careers to preparing them to seek careers outside parks and recreation.
