Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program Opens Application Process
Pittsburgh’s 2026 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program has opened its application process.
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Young people between the ages of 14 and 23 can apply for the program through Friday, June 5. Each year, Learn & Earn connects Allegheny County youth with summer opportunities that build skills, confidence, and pathways to future careers.
Since launching in 2014. The program has supported more than 14,000 participants and invested more than $15 million in wages, helping to strengthen the region’s future workforce.
“Learn & Earn is an investment in the next generation of Pittsburghers,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “This program provides the partnerships our young people need to try something new, develop skills, build a network, and work with mentors to become our region’s next professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs.”
Learn & Earn offers a structure pathway that is designed to meet young people where they are and support their growth:
Tier 1: Career Exploration (Age 14) - Youth build foundational skills through interactive workshops, career exploration activities, job shadowing, and industry tours. Participants earn $10 per hour for up to 100 hours.
Tier 2: Work Experience (Ages 15-19) - Participants are placed at worksites where they gain hands-on experience, develop workplace skills, and build professional connections, while learning $12 per hour and working up to 120 hours.
Tier 3: Advancement (Ages 20-23) - Young adults receive up to 150 hours of industry training, with opportunities to earn credentials and connect to full-time employment or registered apprenticeships. Tier 3 participants earn up to $15 per hour.
Regional businesses are encouraged to get involved by hosting a Learn & Earn participant. In 2025, more than 190 worksites participated. Those interested in becoming a host site should contact Stephanie Bales at summer@partner4work.org.
For more information, take a look at the program’s recent announcement.