MAYOR ANNOUNCES YOUTHWORKS INDY SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Published on 7:07 am by willie.pritchett
Online applications for jobs, education program for youth available starting today
INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard today announced the YouthWorks Indy (YWI) summer jobs and educational program for Marion County residents between the ages of 16 and 24 will continue despite the expiration of federal stimulus grants that funded the program in 2009 and 2010.
EmployIndy sought alternative funding sources to offer a modified program in 2011 and secured about $800,000 in federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds designated for youth employment and training and other discretionary funds.
“YouthWorks Indy provides classroom instruction, employment and work readiness opportunities for Marion County youth and young adults that help close education gaps that can form barriers to future job and college options,” said Mayor Ballard. “I am very pleased that we will be able to continue to offer this program in which participants can earn a paycheck while expanding their knowledge and receiving on-the-job training.”
This summer the enrichment program will provides opportunities for 120 youth enrolled in high school and 80 youth both in and out of school seeking careers in health care or information technology. Specifically, the program will:
- Assist in-school students by offering remedial and for-credit classes in English, Language Arts, Algebra II, Geometry, and English II. Classes will be offered for three weeks, and students will be placed at a job site for three weeks, in addition to participating in a one-week job readiness training course.
- Assist in- and out-of-school youth by providing job training and summer placement in health care or IT-related jobs. Training and certifications will be offered in CPR, First Aid, Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), Print/Copier Maintenance, Fiber Installation, and an A+ Certificate.
Part of the participants’ time will be spent in the classroom and part gaining work experience at local companies and organizations. The program will provide an hourly wage for work of $8.50, up to $170 per week, and a stipend of $40 per educational session, up to $200 per week, to cover transportation and meals.
“We are excited to offer the program for summer 2011 despite the expiration of federal stimulus funds,” said Brooke Huntington, President and CEO of EmployIndy. “We have found that the unique combination of work and educational experiences helps local youth achieve specific educational credentials needed for long-term education and job prospects.”
Out-of-school youth seeking a GED should note that the GED component that previously was part of YWI’s summer enrichment program is now offered year-round through EmployIndy.
Online applications for the summer program will be available at www.youthworksindy.org beginning today and will be accepted through mid-May 2011. Participants are scheduled to be selected no later than May 20. Priority of selection will be given to veterans (past or present), Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) participants enrolling in Fall 2011, Youth Employment Services (YES) participants and current WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker or Youth participants.
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