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 from Minneapolis in paid summer jobs 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 with more than 200 employers since 2004, from Cargill, Best Buy and Target to Twin Cities Public Television, Hennepin County, Health Partners and many other organizations. STEP-UP Achieve interns brought home $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 June to August, earning a minimum of $7.25 an hour.  They provide assistance with customer service, tech support, marketing, lab services, gardening, childcare, construction and much more, depending on their interests and needs of their employers. Interns also receive work-readiness training certified by the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce.

STEP-UP Achieve Recruitment Video