STEP-UP Achieve—part of the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP program — connects businesses with the next generation of talented and diverse workers, provides critical hands-on job skills for young people and builds a stronger Twin Cities workforce for our knowledge-based global economy.

STEP-UP Achieve places young people in meaningful paid summer internships with top local companies, nonprofits and public agencies and provides work readiness training, professional connections and ongoing support. The program has connected over 4,200 young people in jobs with more than 200 employers since 2004, ranging from Cargill, Best Buy and Target to Twin Cities Public Television, Hennepin County, Health Partners and many other organizations. STEP-UP Achieve interns collectively earned $1.3 million in wages in 2011, a significant contribution to low-income families in Minneapolis

Interns are selected through a competitive application process and work 15-40 hours per week from mid-June to mid-August, earning a minimum of $7.25 an hour.  They help organizations in customer service, tech support, marketing, lab services, gardening, childcare, construction and much more, depending on their interests and the needs of their employers. Interns also receive work-readiness training certified by the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce.

STEP-UP Achieve Recruitment Video