Thousands of young Missourians have an opportunity to get summer jobs through a new state program led by the Governor’s Office and Congressman Emmanual Cleaver (D-Kansas City).
 
In addition to the one thousand 17- to 24-year olds hired on to work at state parks this summer, another 4,000 will now have a chance to work in Missouri’s “green zones.”
Governor Nixon says federal funding makes this possible. Nixon says the youth will not only obtain a quality job for the summer, but will also gain workplace experience to help prepare for the future. Jobs run now through September and pay up to $10 an hour, he says.

An $18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is funding the jobs throughout the state, both in urban and rural settings.

Nixon says youth in Kansas City are already working to repair old sidewalks through the program.

 

 

Interested youth ages 17 to 24 are urged to apply through the Summer Jobs Program website or by calling 1-800-592-6020.

The Governor’s State Parks Youth Corps, launched earlier this year, is placing approximately 1,300 young Missourians with jobs at state parks and historic sites across the state.

“Despite the clear signs of Missouri’s economic recovery, high unemployment among our youthful Missouri workforce remains a challenge,” Nixon sys. “Through the Missouri Summer Jobs Program and its counterpart, the State Parks Youth Corps Program, we are turning that challenge into an opportunity for our young people. Through these programs, thousands of young Missourians will not only obtain a quality job for the summer, but will also gain invaluable workplace experience to help prepare them for 21st-century careers.”

The program is tailored to meet the needs of young people who face overwhelming challenges, such as homeless and foster children and those with disabilities or economically distressed families.

Wages for each participant in the program will be set by the employer in conjunction with the local workforce investment board.

With the support of participating businesses and the guidance and career counselors from the state’s 14 workforce investment boards, the Missouri Summer Jobs Program builds on the previous success of a similar program. The Governor’s Next-Generation Jobs Team, a summer youth employment program from last year, put more than 7,000 Missouri youth to work with high-tech, cutting-edge employers around the state during the summer of 2009.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download / listen Mp3]