Job Training
 The major focus of Greater Newark Conservancy's Job Training Program is the Newark Youth Leadership Project (NYLP). The NYLP is a year round job and leadership training program which provides Newark, NJ high school and college youth with job training experience, leadership development, and exposure to different career options in environmental and horticultural fields and opportunities for pursuing a college education. In addition, job training interns are given the chance to participate in outdoor horticultural activities that they would probably never experience otherwise. Through this program the Conservancy seeks to improve conditions in the urban community by increasing employability and earning potential. The year round NYLP has now been in operation for over ten years and has had hundreds Newark youth participants.
The NYLP initiative has three major goals: development of leadership skills; educational and career enrichment through instruction, tutoring and field trips; and development of employment-related skills. The student participants are recruited from high schools in Newark's school district. Selection into the program is based on being a Newark resident, achieving at minimum sophomore standing in high school, earning a grade point average of 2.5 or above, and recommendation from a school guidance counselor.
 The Newark Youth Leadership Project has received high marks from all involved. The program has been particularly effective in improving participants' interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, as well as a variety of technical skills. NYLP has also helped participants develop a strong work ethic and become more self-aware, self confident, and mature. Through their participation in the NYLP, the students have also gained a more positive outlook on their lives and are more prepared for their future education and career.
The NYLP has an educational component which emphasizes oral and written communications, basic skills enhancement, workforce readiness, problem solving, refining listening skills, conflict resolution, civic responsibility, life and survival skills, time management, consumer skills, team building, interviewing skills, appropriate behavior and dress in the work place, study habits, budgeting, health and safety, and self esteem.
Greater Newark Conservancy's NYLP interns participate in most of our ongoing programs.
Education Program interns work with Conservancy Education Program staff, helping to prepare and implement lessons. Through this process they experience aspects of a potential career in teaching and environmental science.
Community Greening Program interns help coordinate and implement various aspects of this program, including working with neighborhood block associations, assisting with horticultural workshops for residents, and helping implement the Conservancy's annual City Gardens Contest.
The Horticulture Program trains youth in marketable landscaping and horticultural skills, while at the same time improving Newark's environment. Interns work at the Conservancy's school Living Laboratory gardens and at the Conservancy's Outdoor Learning Center.
Youth assigned to the Conservancy office learn basic office skills as they participate in general office procedures.
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