SLATE to Host Youth Employment and Opportunity Fair on Friday, June 6, 2025; Summer Youth Employment Program Offers Paid Jobs, Training, and Community Impact Projects

ST. LOUIS, MO – Today, Friday, June 6, 2025, the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) will host a Youth Employment and Opportunity Fair to connect young residents with paid summer jobs and career opportunities. The event will take place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the SLATE Missouri Job Center, located at 1520 Market Street in Downtown St. Louis.

Open to City residents ages 16 to 24, the fair will feature leading employers such as Procter & Gamble, GoJet Airlines, Southwest, DSM, Bi-State Development, AT&T, Walmart, and the City of St. Louis, among others. Attendees will be able to meet recruiters, explore career paths, and take the next steps toward a productive summer and brighter future.

The fair is part of SLATE’s commitment to youth workforce development. A key effort is the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which offers paid jobs, hands-on experience, and career training for youth ages 14 to 24. In partnership with EDSI and STL Youth Jobs, SLATE connects youth with real-world opportunities to support long-term success.

The SYEP team at EDSI has already enrolled 337 youth through its year-round program, with 279 expressing interest in the summer cohort and 37 currently enrolled. The team aims to enroll an additional 98 youth this summer. To meet the growing demand, SLATE is actively seeking additional funding to expand this program and serve more youth this summer.

In response to the recent tornado disaster, EDSI has also launched a special cohort within SYEP called the Community Impact Initiative. This effort provides 20 young adults with paid opportunities to assist in neighborhood recovery and cleanup efforts while earning $15 per hour. It’s a chance for youth to make a tangible difference in their communities while gaining valuable employment experience and a sense of purpose.

SLATE’s second SYEP partner, STL Youth Jobs, has fully enrolled 150 youth for the summer of 2025. These youth are preparing to begin their jobs in the coming weeks. As enrollment for this season is now full, STL Youth Jobs is no longer accepting applications at this time.

The Summer Youth Employment Program is open to City of St. Louis residents ages 14 to 24 who meet income eligibility requirements or reside in a Qualified Census Tract. The program prioritizes youth who face barriers to employment and are seeking meaningful opportunities to grow. Youth interested in applying for job opportunities through EDSI’s SYEP team can visit www.stlouis-mo.gov/syep for eligibility details and the application process.

“For 50 years, SLATE has remained a proud partner to St. Louis youth and families,” said Connie Johnson, Executive Director of SLATE. “SYEP is more than a job—it offers young people structure, support, and the chance to envision a better future. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we remain committed to investing in our city’s youth and building a stronger, more connected St. Louis.”