• Summer Youth Initiative participants at the Genesee Career Institute
  • Students participate in a TeenQuest training session. TeenQuest is a pre-employment and leadership training program designed to prepare teens for success in the 21st-century workplace. Enrollment is open to all students, ages 14-19 in grades 9-12, in Flint and Genesee County.
  • Students Studying

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YouthQuest

YouthQuest is an innovative afterschool enrichment program for K-12 students in Flint & Genesee, offered at no cost to students.

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TeenQuest

For Genesee County students in grades 9-12, TeenQuest is designed to teach important skills needed to get and keep a job.

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Summer Youth Initiative

The Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) program helps more than 500 qualified teens find employment each year.

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Preparing youth and adults for academic and career success.

We increase the number of students in the career and college pipelines through youth programs like YouthQuest, TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative. We help employers and business owners improve their operations and provide opportunities for residents to build employment skills.

By building a solid foundation of personal, academic and career-oriented skills, the programs offered through Education & Talent prepare the current and future workforce in Flint & Genesee.

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About Education & Talent

Flint & Genesee Education & Talent provides high-quality workforce development through K-12 programming and professional development. These opportunities are open to area students and individuals looking to grow their career, their business and our community.

Program FAQs

1

How do you enroll in a program?

Because enrollment is limited, parents need to complete an application on behalf of their student for YouthQuest and interested teens can apply for the TeenQuest program and SYI. A program staff member will be in contact within three days of receiving an application.

2

Is the Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) open to all teens?

SYI is an avenue to help qualified teens who have first completed TeenQuest find a job to not just earn money but gain experience, learn valuable social skills and make connections.

3

Is there a cost to the programs?

YouthQuest, TeenQuest and SYI are all FREE. YouthQuest is sponsored by the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and others.

4

How can my business support teens in the program?

Your business can help guide local teens toward the right career path! Through Flint & Genesee Education & Talent’s Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) program, you can hire area students to work for you at half or less of your normal hiring and employment costs. Not only does this provide a competitive edge for your organization, but the added bonus is also that the students you’re connected with have been well-schooled and are ready to jump into the workplace.

5

Where is the YouthQuest program held?

There is a YouthQuest site at each school in Flint, including Accelerated Learning Academy, Southwestern Classical Academy, Flint Cultural Center Academy and International Academy of Flint.

6

How long is the YouthQuest program?

YouthQuest takes place during the school year and generally starts about two weeks after the school year commences. YouthQuest is also held during Flint Community Schools intersession but is invite only. Summer sessions may also be available and vary from four to eight weeks.

7

Where is the TeenQuest program held?

TeenQuest is hosted at multiple Genesee County high schools at various times throughout the year. Students do not need to attend school at the host site to participate in TeenQuest.

8

How long is the TeenQuest program?

The traditional, in-person TeenQuest program is five weeks long and attendance is required Monday-Thursday. Virtual TeenQuest may also be available and will last no longer than five weeks, but may also be offered as shorter, accelerated option.

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A Division of the Flint & Genesee Group

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