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JCRT Partners with Bank of America to Train 1,500 Charlotte Youth

Published on October 04, 2024

Students at Job and Career Readiness Training session

More than 1,500 youth are participating in the City of Charlotte’s annual Job and Career Readiness Training (JCRT), a transformative program designed to equip youths, 16-24 years old, with essential skills to navigate and excel in the workplace. Recognized by area businesses as a key resource for workforce development, JCRT helps prepare young residents for successful careers and fosters crucial skills needed for professional environments.

This year, the City of Charlotte’s JCRT, running from October 7 to 28 in schools, offers comprehensive training on job readiness, interview preparation, and essential skills like emotional intelligence, time management, effective communication, and financial literacy—all provided free of charge. JCRT is one of the largest career training programs in the metro area. When surveyed regarding the 2022-2023 JCRT/MYEP programs, 96% of youth reported increased confidence in networking, interview preparation, and workplace communication.

Bank of America presenter at Job and Career Readiness Training session.

A highlight of this year's program is the renewed partnership with Workforce Development at Bank of America, a training program, which is hosting and leading resume writing workshops for JCRT participants to help youth envision their career paths, present their best selves, and build professional resumes. By connecting Bank of America’s workforce development resources with JCRT’s hands-on training, students gain access to practical tools and workshops to enhance their job search skills and employment prospects.

Kory, a student at East Mecklenburg High School and participant in last year’s JCRT, shared his enthusiasm for the program: “I hope to build my resume, of course, but also to interact with future employers and just to network—just build relationships with other people and open doors that may have been closed.”

Students smiling at camera at Job and Career Readiness Training session

This training is a critical first step for students seeking to participate in the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP), which provides paid summer work experiences in the Charlotte-Metro region. Bank of America, a partner of MYEP for nearly 20 years, has hired many program graduates from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Bank of America plays a pivotal role in supporting the program’s goals, and President Kieth Cockrell emphasized this commitment at the MYEP closing ceremony, inspiring participants to “Dream a big dream. Dare to be great.”

By offering resume writing and career preparation workshops, Workforce Development at Bank of America empowers young people to develop essential job skills, making this year's JCRT a key opportunity for underserved youth to build their future and gain pathways to success.

For more information, please contact Omar Crenshaw at Omar.Crenshaw@charlottenc.gov.