New opportunities are being posted every day. Applications for youth ages 14 to 18 in Experience Work and High School Internships were due March 16. Year round opportunities have no application deadline.
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Opportunity NOW is Nashville’s youth employment initiative, working to provide young people in Davidson County access to employment. In Nashville, we have seen fewer and fewer teenagers and young adults working during the summers and after-school. At the same time, Nashville employers across various industries are concerned about the lack of “soft” skills among their youngest employees—skills most readily learned through actual work experience.
In the first year of the initiative, 362 employers posted 11,587 jobs and internships into our portal. 7,894 youth were employed, gaining valuable experience and skills. Learn more by reading the 2017 Annual Report.
The initiative was created based on recommendations from the Mayor’s Youth Violence Summit as a way to connect youth to opportunity and to hope. Opportunity NOW is designed to combat the growing gap in opportunity and will become the much needed system for delivering employment and employment-like opportunities for young people.
Helping to implement the Mayor’s initiative is the Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), a division of the Mayor’s Office and the city agency for workforce development. NCAC coordinates closely with the Mayor and the Advisory Council for the program.
The Opportunity NOW initiative is housed through an online portal that allows for youth voice and choice when applying for their first job. Visit the Opportunity NOW online portal to start applying today, or learn more about employer involvement.
Year Round Opportunities
"Employment Connections" is where young people ages 18-24 receive intensive case management paired with paid work experience and support for placement into unsubsidized employment.
"Direct Hire" is where employers post available positions for summer, after school, and entry level work on the Opportunity NOW portal. Young people ages 14-24 interested in working apply directly.
"Traditional Youth Employment" is where young people ages 15-24 have jobs at Community Centers and Parks within Metro Government.
Summer Experiences
"NAZA Summer Zone" is a career pathway exploration, college prep, and activity-based learning program for youth ages 14-16. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch are provided.
"Experience Work" is project-based learning in teams in partnership with arts and community based organizations for youth ages . Skill building led by college-aged Near Peer coach.
"High School Internships" are independent internships with local nonprofits, Metro Government, and corporations for youth ages 16-18. Internships shepherded by community-based organizations in five regionalized zones.
Check out the Opportunity NOW Summer flyer
More Information
For additional information, and to find out how you can be involved in Opportunity NOW, please email opportunitynow@nashville.gov.