Brooklyn teens complete summer technology training

August 21, 2026 - 02:07

Twenty-five teenagers from Brooklyn wrapped up a six-week technology training program this week, presenting the websites and digital tools they built from scratch. The workforce development initiative, run through the city's LinkNYC network, gave local students hands-on experience in coding, web design, and problem-solving.

During the final showcase, the teens demonstrated projects ranging from community event finders to simple budgeting apps. Organizers said the goal was not just to teach technical skills but to show how those skills can translate into real jobs. The program paired each student with a mentor who guided them through the process of turning an idea into a working product.

For many of the participants, this was their first time writing code or designing a user interface. By the end, they were comfortable presenting their work to a room full of adults, explaining their design choices and the challenges they faced. One student built a site to help local small businesses list their hours and menus, while another created a tool to track recycling schedules in different neighborhoods.

The LinkNYC partnership is part of a broader effort to use the city's public Wi-Fi kiosks as a launchpad for digital education. Organizers hope to expand the program to other boroughs next summer, with a focus on reaching students who may not have access to advanced computer classes in school.

For now, the teens are walking away with more than just a certificate. They have a portfolio piece, a network of peers and mentors, and a clearer sense of what a career in technology might look like. Several said they plan to keep coding on their own, and a few are already thinking about internships or part-time work in the field.