WORKFORCE ALLIANCE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM WILL STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Workforce Alliance to Place up to 500 Youth in Summer Jobs Providing Spendable Income
The Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas has received federal funds, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, specifically designated for a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Through the program, the Workforce Alliance will place up to 500 young adults, ages 14-24, in entry-level and seasonal jobs at city, state, county, school and nonprofit worksites. During their eight to ten weeks of employment (June 1 - August 7), youth will earn at least $7.25 per hour and be able to help stimulate the local economy with spendable income.
For most participants the SYEP is their first exposure to the workforce and the program provides experience that may not have otherwise been possible. The program is designed not only to provide youth with a summer income, but to instill in them the skills and work ethic needed to advance as they prepare for life after high school or college. In combination with a 20-hour work week, program participants will receive paid training on work readiness skills to familiarize themselves with workplace expectations.
Youth participating in the program must be age 24 and under, unemployed, members of a low-income family and have a barrier to employment or education.
Youth can apply online at the Workforce Center website at www.workforce-ks.com. The Workforce Alliance will be taking applications for the program March 23th through April 30th and will begin placing youth with employers in early June.
Eligible employers for the SYEP will be city, state, county, school, and nonprofit worksites interested in providing experience to increase the work readiness skills of youth. The Workforce Alliance is taking careful measures to ensure the work experiences of the youth participants does not replace the work of current employees or employees who have experienced layoffs.
Participating employers are required to adhere to the applicable federal and state labor laws and the regulations of the SYEP and provide youth with a safe and healthy work environment and adequate supervision.
Eligible worksites in Sedgwick and Butler counties are invited to an informational luncheon at the Wichita Workforce Center on March 25th at 12:00 p.m. to receive further details. An informational luncheon for Cowley, Sumner, Harper and Kingman counties will be held on March 26th at 12:00 p.m. at the Cowley Workforce Center. For more information or to reserve a space at the luncheon e-mail syep@workforce-ks.com. Worksites will be asked to provide job descriptions for any open positions, an estimate of how many youth they may be able to place and details on any pre-employment training required prior to placement.
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For additional information please visit the Workforce Alliance website at
www.workforce-ks.com or contact the SYEP office at 316-771-6619 or via e-mail at syep@workforce-ks.com.