Goss urges local employers to consider summer job opportunities for youth
From N.C. Sen. Steve Goss
45th Senatorial District
RALEIGH
State Sen. Steve Goss has announced that the federal stimulus is expected to provide funding for summer work opportunities for youth ages 16-24 in the region.
Goss urges potential employers to consider proposing a summer work program for youth in their communities.
“This opportunity is a win-win opportunity for employers, young people and our communities,” Goss said. “We know that many young people will have difficulty finding a job and that many businesses and non-profit organizations would not have the resources to hire without this program.”
Funding will be made available as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the local Workforce Development Board to put youth to work this summer. The existing program Get REAL (Resources, Employment, Advancement, Learning) Youth Services will place youth in summer jobs while building career readiness skills. The program is targeted to youth ages 16-24 whose family income falls below the federal poverty level and who face certain barriers to employment.
The program will be administered by the relevant Workforce Development Board.
Wages are paid by the program while young people get the opportunity to earn marketable job skills, and work sites gain temporary workers. Placement may include work such as clerical, grounds maintenance, and customer service type jobs. Employers interested in hosting a summer work site must have on-going supervision.
For-profit and non-profit organizations will be considered as work sites.
Employers in Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties interested in hosting a summer work site should contact Misty Bishop-Price with the High Country Workforce Development Board at 828-265-5434.
Employers in Alexander County should contact Sheila Dodson with the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board at 828-485-4218. Additional information is also available at http://www.highcountrywdb.com.
Call Steve Goss at 828-265-2943, or go to www:SenatorSteveGoss.com.
