This article appeared in the April 13, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, which provides Charlotte with dependable local information.
Wanted: Employers for teen summer internship program after a record number of applicants
(Photo: Kevin Young/The 5 and 2 Project)
The Mayor’s Youth Employment Program, the city of Charlotte’s summer internship program for 16- to 18-year-olds, has received a record number of applications for 2026 and is looking for additional employers to match those teens with jobs.
This year, the city received 1,200 applications, up from 700 the previous year and the most the city has ever seen, according to Raquishela Stewart, deputy director of the city’s Housing & Neighborhood Services department.
Stewart attributed the uptick in applications to the city doing greater and earlier outreach, including at Title I schools, the applicants from which more than doubled year over year, according to the city.
“Research shows that 63% of youth who are not in school or not working are in some kind of trouble,” she said. “Our programming does not only consist of career experience. We're also looking at career development. We're looking at how to brand yourself, how to show up, transferable skills … The jobs of yesterday are not necessarily the jobs of today.”
The city hires about 50 interns each year for the program.
The program has traditionally required six-week internships, but this year, after a successful pilot last summer, two- and four-week internships are being offered as well. The program includes hands-on internships as well as “virtual pathways.”
Stewart said the city began matching applicants with companies last week. The deadline for employers to apply to the program was April 10, but, Stewart said, applications will be accepted into this week.
Internships are fully funded by employers, and participating companies are required to pay interns at least $13/hour, matching what the city pays its interns.
Stewart said the city tries to match students with industries they rank highly on their applications, but emphasis is also placed on what transferable skills can be learned, even if a teen is working in an industry that might not be their top choice. Working at CharMeck 311, the city’s call center, may not necessarily be a 16-year-old’s dream job, but it can teach skills like relationship building, customer service and technical skills that even doctors and lawyers need to have proficiency in, Stewart said.
The program starts June 22 and runs through July 31. Stewart said the city is open to receiving applications from employers in any industry. —Ashley Fahey
Want to apply? You can do so here.