Winston-Salem starts job-readiness program for at-risk youth

Winston-Salem is inaugurating a new job-readiness program for at-risk youth. 

The program is called Positive Path and is open to eligible city residents ages 16-24. Participants will be offered part-time employment with hands-on training for careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). The apprentices will also have the opportunity to earn their GED and attend post-secondary STEAM classes.

Faith Bartlett, director of the Positive Path Program, says the initiative offers new opportunities for youth in the city.

"There is a lot of violence surrounding this 16-24 at-risk population, so the City of Winston-Salem wanted to give these youth a new direction. We wanted to provide them with several different paths so they could find their own success," says Bartlett. 

Bartlett notes that the pilot initiative expands on the city's previous YouthBuild Winston-Salem program by incorporating STEAM activities.

Applications for the first class will be accepted through July 17.