Reykjavík City will offer 100 jobs for 17-year-olds this summer. Some of these jobs will be designed specifically for vulnerable 17-year-olds. The city will also finalize a permanent structure for summer jobs for 17-year-olds so it won't need to scramble for solutions every spring.
Reykjavík City has advertised more than 1,000 summer jobs in recent years. About 30-40 of those positions have been specifically set aside for 17-year-olds, but in recent years the City Executive Council has consistently approved adding more summer jobs for this age group. Last year, the City launched a pilot project and provided funding to create 50 jobs for vulnerable 17-year-olds, with good results.
A working group on the future structure of summer jobs for 17-year-olds delivered a report in spring 2024, and the coalition parties' proposal in the City Council to increase summer jobs for this age group is based on its findings. The proposal will be considered by the City Council today. Research shows that summer work at this age has significant preventive value and promotes personal development and financial independence. Summer jobs for this age group also give young people opportunities to build connections during important formative years and prepare them for entering the job market. The School of Work provides summer jobs for 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds, but 17-year-olds often fall through the cracks since they can't do all the traditional summer jobs advertised by Reykjavík City.
Strong support for vulnerable young people
The estimated cost is around 100 million króna for wages and related expenses if the young people are hired for four weeks. The City also needs to budget for a project manager to oversee hiring young people in the vulnerable group. Last year's experience showed how important it is to provide strong support for vulnerable young people when finding summer work. Some in the group might need on-the-job support and help creating resumes. The estimated cost of hiring a career counselor for two months is 1.6 million króna, which is included in the budget.