This program equips high school teens with essential workforce readiness and job training skills. Since its launch in 2013, the program has provided over 2,250 local teens with workforce readiness training, and 510 participants have secured their first paid jobs with local businesses, elected officials, and non-profits.
CAREER LAUNCH
Career Launch prepares teens for the world of careers and work. Through Career Launch, Club teens embark on a journey to explore possible vocations, make sound educational decisions and find success in the world of work. Students may attend one Career Launch class per week, with classes offered Monday through Thursday.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP
Teens who complete "Career Launch" can apply for a paid part-time internship with a local business. Interns work Monday through Thursday for five weeks, following a one-week youth employee onboarding. On Fridays, they participate in professional development sessions covering financial literacy, professional and dining etiquette, plus First Aid/CPR/AED training, and food handling certifications.
DETAILS
Program Recruitment: January 12 - February 13, 2026
Last day to submit applications: February 13, 2026
Program Orientation: February 19, 2026
Career Launch Program: February 23 - May 7, 2026
Career Launch Program Graduation: May 8, 2026
Summer Internship Program: June 8 to July 10, 2026
Summer Internship Program Graduation: July 10, 2026
Career Launch classes available at:
Armstrong Youth Center - 801 Niles Street
Stockdale Club - 5207 Young Street - Enrollment Closed
Lamont Club - 8301 Segrue Road
Bakersfield, CA. – January 9, 2026 – Local high school teens (ages 15 to 18) can register for the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Kern County’s 2026 Summer Jobs Program beginning Monday, January 12, 2026, through the online portal at
www.bgckc.org/summerjobsprogram. The registration portal closes on Friday, February 13, 2026. Since 2013, nearly
2,250 local high school students have received workforce training, and 510 have secured paid summer jobs through the
Club’s Summer Jobs Program.
The workforce readiness training portion (Career Launch) will run from February 23, 2026, through May 7, 2026, at
the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center (801 Niles Street, Bakersfield), Stockdale Boys & Girls Club
(5207 Young Street, Bakersfield), and Lamont Boys & Girls Club (8301 Segrue Road, Lamont). Teens will attend one
day per week from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Career Launch curriculum (job-readiness and career-preparation program)
offers a variety of activities to hone teens’ decision-making, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. This comprehensive
program introduces young people to the world of work and equips them with the tools to prepare for a future career.
After the training, the teens will have the opportunity to apply and interview for a paid Summer Internship with local
employers as part of the Summer Jobs Program from June 8, 2026, through July 10, 2026. Employers provide interns
with mentorship and hands-on experience in various occupations. The interns work at their internship site for five weeks
(after attending one week of youth employee onboarding). On Fridays, the interns will participate in professional
development activities covering financial literacy, business, dining, cell phone etiquette, First Aid, CPR & AED, and food
handler certification. The Summer Jobs Program delivers job training benefits to youth and businesses in Kern
County.
For more information about the BGCKC Workforce Readiness Program, please contact Ramiro Martinez at the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Kern County at 661-325-3730 ext. 265 or summerjobsprogram@bgckc.org.
About BGCKC: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County began as the Boys Club of Bakersfield in 1966, serving 25 children. The organization now
serves an average of 15,000 youth each year, most of whom are from at-risk or disadvantaged circumstances. The children and youth (pre-K to
grade 12) participate through before-school, after-school, and out-of-school programming at three traditional Club sites in East Bakersfield,
Southwest Bakersfield, and Lamont, in addition to 72 school-based sites in collaboration with 14 school districts in Arvin, Bakersfield, Frazier Park,
Gorman, Lamont, Kernville, McFarland, Pond, Lake Isabella, Lebec, Wasco, and Tehachapi. The Nutrition Program serves over 2,500 meals daily to
children in need through community and Club sites. Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full
potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. www.bgckc.orgFrequently asked Questions
How old do I need to be?
Teens must be 15-18 years old and enrolled in High School
How do I get an Internship?
Students must attend their selected class one day per week for the full 10-week course and successfully pass two rounds of interviews to be eligible for internship placement
What are the Program Dates? Program dates are as follows:Monday - Thursday 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Armstrong Youth Center Clubhouse at 801 Niles Street, Bakersfield , California 93305
Wednesday 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Stockdale Clubhouse at 5207 Young Street, Bakersfield , California 93311
When is the orientation?
Orientation is on Thursday, February 19, 2026, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM. The orientation will be hosted virtually. A meeting link will be sent out the week of to all registrants. The Virtual Orientation is mandatory, please plan accordingly to join with your parent or guardian.
What is the deadline for the applications?
The deadline for turning in applications is February 13, 2026.
How do I register?
Please create an account or login on our Parent Portal: https://bgckerncounty.my.site.com/portal/s/login/You will need to register for a Summer Jobs Program Club Membership at your selected location on the 'Memberships' area.
Once the Membership application is completed, and approved, you can register for your classes under 'Programs'. Current Club Members can enroll directly under the 'Programs' tab.
All Parent Portal Accounts will need to be created by the Parent/Guardian using the Parent's information.
What if I need to change class days/location?
Please contact our Club if accommodations need to be made after enrollment.
I need more information:
Please email us at summerjobsprogram@bgckc.org or reach out to our club at 661-325-3730 for:
Ramiro Martinez
Director of Teen Programs
Monica Gonzales
Senior Area Program Director
FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT
Ramiro Martinez (661) 325-3730 Ext. 265
summerjobsprogram@bgckc.org or visit bgckc.org/summerjobsprogram
