Summer Career Academies
Paid Career Exploration for High School Students
Thank you for your interest in Career Academies. Take a look at what academies are available for summer 2026!
Exciting Summer Career Academies Await! Use your summer to learn more about a career field of interest by participating in one of our many Summer Career Academies, and be paid for career exploration. General eligibility requirements are listed below and there are additional screening steps for all the Summer Career Academies. If you meet basic eligibility requirements, you will be contacted by Y.O.U. or one of our Community Partners for an interview and additional screening.
Please check the descriptions below to make sure your grade and location qualifies for the program you are applying for. You must fill out the summer jobs application and the academies interest form. If you have already filled out the application at an earlier date, you still should complete the interest form. You do not need to fill out the application more than once. For all questions, please email academies@youcle.org.
Building Great Futures: Construction Academy
Open to ages 16 and up who live in the City of Cleveland
During this 10-week program participants will work hands-on with construction experts with Habitat for Humanity to refurbish or build homes for families in need. Throughout the experience, they will learn important technical skills related to the construction field, including an OSHA-10 certification, while developing teamwork, communication, and stronger critical thinking skills. This is a great program for those who like to be outside, enjoy physical labor, and are looking to learn skills they can use in their personal lives
Open to ages 16 and up who live in the City of Cleveland
This 12-week academy is geared for teens who have an interest in careers impacting youth – teaching, coaching, recreation, pediatric healthcare positions, social workers, juvenile justice, and more. Participants will be tasked with supervising children between the ages of 6 and 14, preparing for this role with important First Aid, safety, and group management trainings.
Summer Recreation and Leadership Academy
Manufacturing Academy
Open to rising 11th and 12th graders
This program is a 6 week, paid, hands-on learning experience in partnership with MAGNET that helps Cuyahoga County students interested in technology, problem-solving and STEM explore career paths related to manufacturing. Students will learn about how things get made in Northeast Ohio and what their role might be in the manufacturing industry. MAGNET connects them with skills training to earn certifications, hands-on activities and field trips to local businesses to give a feel for what Cleveland has to offer in this growing and ever-changing industry.
Open to 14-18 year olds
This 8-week program offers teens hands‑on experience in farming, gardening, community engagement, and wellness. Participants will help maintain community garden sites, support events and workshops, create social media content, and learn from local farmers and chefs. Through real-world work in agriculture, nutrition, culinary arts, and community outreach, youth will build professionalism, teamwork, leadership skills, and an understanding of food justice and environmental stewardship. The program blends practical job tasks with mentoring, certifications, and learning experiences designed to grow confidence, communication skills, and interest in wellness and sustainability.
FoodStrong Ambassador Program
Marketing Academy
Open to rising 10th graders through recent graduates who live in the City of Cleveland
This 8-week project-based-learning work experience in partnership with the City of Cleveland aims to help students interested in art, writing, digital design, and entrepreneurship to explore career paths related to these disciplines. While students learn more about the principles of digital and physical marketing, they will demonstrate skills in a collaborative project for the City of Cleveland.
Open to 14-18 year olds
This 8-week program, in partnership with the Warrensville Heights Family YMCA, focuses on empowering and developing our teen leaders. Participants will learn essential life, community development, career-readiness, and interpersonal skills through instruction and hands-on experience. While participating in activities promoting physical, mental, and social wellbeing, this program aims to prepare young people to thrive in their future academic, career, and personal endeavors.
YMCA Leadership Academy
Open to 15-18 year olds
This unique opportunity for high school youth aims to train and develop skills valuable to the production industry. Youth will gain hands-on technical experience and resources from industry professionals to ensure they are opening doors for themselves; behind a camera or in any of their other ambitions.
Skill Up Crew Up: Film Production Academy
Open to 16-18 year olds
This six-week program offers youth the unique opportunity to collaborate with award-winning industry leaders to learn the art of documentary storytelling and film production. Through this hands-on experience, participants will gain valuable professional skills to aid them in a lifetime of creative expression and artistic endeavors.
Art in Motion: Documentary Filmmaking Academy
Open to 18 year olds that are 2026 graduates
In collaboration with CVS Health, the six-week pharmacy technician training program is open to 18-year-old graduates of the class of 2026. Participants receive job readiness and HIPAA training, classroom and firsthand pharmacy training and job shadowing. At the conclusion of the program, participants will prepare for a certification exam and potential opportunity to apply for work at CVS.
Pharmacy Technician Training Academy
Open to 14-18 year olds who live in the City of Cleveland
Participants in this 6-week program will learn about the work of the Environment Health Watch (EHW) and the Lead Safe Resource Center (LSRC) and the importance of addressing lead poisoning in the City of Cleveland. Alongside lead-safety education, youth will further develop interview, networking, public speaking, and leadership skills. Participants will utilize these skills in developing a capstone project to recount their work experience and serve as youth ambassadors of the LSRC after the program concludes.
Lead Abatement Education Academy
Open to 16-18 year olds
This 6-week program teaches youth about the mindset and the skills needed for success by aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators who add value to any organization. Participants learn how to create business ideas through a problem-solving approach. They then learn to transform their ideas into concise, effective, and actionable one-page business plans.
Junior Achievement Entrepreneurship Academy
Young Money Mentors: Financial Literacy Academy
Open to 16 to 18 year olds in City of Cleveland
Young Money Mentors is a financial literacy work experience in which students will learn positive financial habits and share them with fellow students in a peer-to-peer education model. Participants will engage in discussions surrounding how to manage their own finances, save for the future, budget their money wisely, and manage their expectations, priorities, attitudes, and values when it comes to their money. Furthermore, participants will give presentations on money management to help encourage healthy financial habits amongst their peers.
Questions?
If you still have questions, try contacting our Summer Jobs info line at 216-776-3900 or send an email to SummerJobsProgram@youcle.org.