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August 2009 issue
page 2 of 3 |
Summer Youth Employment Program puts nearly 700 youths to work
Nearly 700 low-income youth were employed this summer by the Summer Youth Employment Program administered by SWWDC and its partners in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. The program provided youth who have barriers to employment and/or limited work experience an opportunity to attain work readiness skills, earn a paycheck, and develop a healthy work ethic.
 Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the program offered low-income youth, ages 14-24, a total of 180 hours of paid work experience and training over a six-week period this summer. Jobs included administrative office duties, landscape, trail and building maintenance, light construction, food service, events management, website development, child care and teaching, marketing, and data analysis.
Participants worked 24 hours per week at their job site and had six hours a week of classroom time focused on appropriate workplace attire and behaviors, communications and conflict resolution, team building, financial management, workplace rights and policies, building resumes, and learning specific business and professional skills.
Most youth were paid $8.55 per hour and earned up to $1,539. Some 71 youth served as supervisors and were paid $10.00 per hour and earned up to $2,000. Collectively, youth earned more than $1.1 million this summer through the program.
Seven partner organizations were responsible for recruiting youth and worksites and managing the program. These partners include Educational Service District 112, Employers Overload, Longview Goodwill Vocations Unlimited, Lower Columbia Community Action Council, Pacific Northwest Chapter of the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees, Wahkiakum Port 2, and Washington State University Vancouver.
A special thanks to the 126 organizations that provided more than 197 different kinds of positions along with mentoring and guidance to these young workers. For more information on the SYEP, visit www.swwdc.org/summeryouth.
Funding available to train 300 low-income adults and dislocated workers
SWWDC received $2.7 million funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to train low-income adults and dislocated workers in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties for in-demand occupations in healthcare, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and other targeted industries.
The programs will train an estimated 300 low-income, dislocated, and under-skilled adults that have been heavily impacted by the recession and have particular challenges in regaining employment. The goal is to provide participants with training in a career pathway that results in employment, career advancement, and self-sufficient wages. Clark College, Lower Columbia College, West Coast Training, and NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Program were selected through SWWDC’s procurement process to deliver the training. WorkSource will provide the on-going case management and support services to participants.
Enrollment is currently underway for fall 2009 classes. Interested individuals should contact Dina Morris, 360-442-2335 at WorkSource Kelso or Nikki Weatherington, 360-735-5127 at WorkSource Vancouver for more information.
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