Milwaukee Launches 7-Week Paid Teen Internships as Summer Jobs Fell 25%

2 articles · Updated · Spectrum News 1 · Jun 30

$12-an-hour internships are being rolled out by Milwaukee County, the city and the school district for high school students as teen summer hiring continues to weaken.
The push follows a 25% drop in jobs secured by teens last summer versus 2024, with job-placement groups reporting even fewer openings this year.
Students first take job-readiness classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College, then are matched for seven weeks with local companies, nonprofits, small businesses or city and county offices.
The program, tied to Employ Milwaukee's Earn and Learn initiative, requires students to show commitment and attendance before acceptance.
Demand is outpacing supply, and organizers say expansion depends on grants, donations and more employers willing to host interns.