Mayor Solomon Launches "JC Next" — A Reimagination of How Jersey City Youth Connect to Careers, Opportunity, and Their City's Future
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Contact: Nathaniel Styer, Communications Director
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MAYOR SOLOMON LAUNCHES "JC NEXT" — A REIMAGINATION OF HOW JERSEY CITY YOUTH CONNECT TO CAREERS, OPPORTUNITY, AND THEIR CITY'S FUTURE
700 Jobs Available This Summer for Residents Ages 15–24 in Phase One of a Youth Development Program
JERSEY CITY, NJ (May 13, 2026) — Mayor James Solomon today announced the launch of JC Next, a bold new initiative to connect Jersey City's young people between the ages 15 to 24 to meaningful employment, professional exposure, and long-term career pathways.
"Jersey City has extraordinary young people, and I’ve heard time-after-time from families that the city must invest in them the way they deserve," said Mayor James Solomon. "JC Next is a serious, sustained commitment to building a pipeline of homegrown talent. Every young person who works and learns here this summer is an investment in the city's future. Through JC Next, our young people will be engaging in meaningful experiences right where they are born and raised, while preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow and keeping them safe during summer months. As we grow JC Next, this programming will not stop at summer’s end but provide career opportunities for Jersey City year-round.”
Phase one launches this summer with approximately 700 paid positions across government, small businesses, and major employers — the largest youth employment mobilization in recent city history.
JC Next is focused on exposing young people to different careers, workplaces, and community leaders, while they gain significant real-world work experience — with the explicit goal of building a pipeline of born-and-raised Jersey City talent ready to lead in the city's government, civic institutions, and economy.
"Leadership doesn't begin in the boardroom — it begins in neighborhoods, parks, and workplaces where young people first see what's possible for their lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Dr. Dia Bryant. “JC Next is our commitment to making sure every young person in Jersey City has access to the experiences, skills, and relationships they need to not just participate in this city's future, but to lead it."
How This Summer Works
The 700 available positions draw from three sources:
- 250 positions within the Department of Recreation and Youth Development — including summer camp counselors, counselors-in-training, assistant site supervisors, and aquatics staff
- 250 positions funded through a Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) grant, placing youth in paid internships, apprenticeships, and career development roles at UEZ-registered businesses across Jersey City's neighborhood commercial corridors
- ~200 positions with private businesses & government departments through an ongoing recruitment effort engaging local businesses, large and small, to host interns or contribute financial support for placements
The UEZ-funded program runs July 6 through August 21, 2026, with participants earning $17/hour for 25 hours per week. Youth placed through the Department of Recreation work 40-hour weeks throughout the summer.
Participants will have opportunities across a wide range of industries — from health and wellness, technology, and business administration to arts and culture, hospitality, and public service.
Selection for summer positions will prioritize first-time workers, low-income youth, and students from underrepresented neighborhoods. The program includes a pre-placement interest and readiness process to match youth with sectors aligned to their goals.
Beyond Summer: A Year-Round Vision
JC Next is designed as a platform, not a season. The administration's vision is to build year-round programming that provides high-quality experiences to students throughout the school year — including school-year internships, postsecondary pathway exposure, and employer partnerships that lead to direct hires.
Applications and Employer Partnership
Young residents ages 15–24 interested in applying for a summer position can apply here, and local businesses interested in hosting interns or supporting placements, can visit here.
“There’s nothing quite like earning your own money,” said Councilmember Michael Griffin. “The pride that comes from a job well done helps build confidence and a sense of independence.”