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Grow Detroit's Young Talent: Summer Program Aims To Put 8,000 To Work

DETROIT (WWJ) - More Detroit kids will be on the job this summer as business and foundation leaders hang up the help wanted signs as part of the Grow Detroit's Young Talent program.

Mayor Mike Duggan upped the ante for the second year of the program, increasing the number of summer jobs from 5,600 to 8,000. He made an appeal Tuesday morning to the business community to step up and make the hire.

"If you can take one kid this summer, please sign up. If you can't afford to pay the kid's entire salary, we'll pay half," Duggan said. "We want to get these young people into a situation where they go to a job every day. They have to be on time, they have to be dressed, they have to behave professionally -- and they get a paycheck."

Grow Detroit's Young Talent is a citywide summer jobs program that employs young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 for six weeks in July and August. Youth participants must be permanent residents of the City of Detroit and be eligible to work in the United States. There is a broad range of jobs available, including community cleanups, event planning, accounting, and working with the Director of Youth Services for the City of Detroit.

The application process is now underway with two job fairs this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Lake Baptist Church (12400 E. Jefferson Ave.) and Triumph Church (2760 E. Grand Blvd.). At each of the events, interested youth will be able to ask questions and apply online at one of several computer stations.

Job candidates can also fill out an application online, which will be screened. Throughout the months of May and June, applicants will be selected based upon both employer request and a random selection process among the applicants.

This year's work experience begins July 6. For more information, visit gdyt.org.

How The Program Works

  • Workplace Readiness – GDYT youth are prepared for the workplace through 12 hours of work readiness training prior to placement at a worksite and 24 hours of ongoing training throughout the summer.
  • Youth Recruitment and Matching – Eligible young people are recruited through local schools, community organizations, and the city's workforce development system. Youth are matched to employers based on interest, ability, and accessibility. Employers can interview candidates or allow GDYT Youth Specialists to manage the entire placement process.
  • Youth Support – Youth are supported throughout the summer by their assigned GDYT Youth Specialist, who provides ongoing training throughout the summer and helps the young person have a successful summer in the workplace. GDYT youth will also receive bus passes to assist with transportation throughout the summer.
  • Employer Support – GDYT makes the employer's job easy by providing support to ensure success. Every employer will have access to employer training (live or webinar), employer tool kit, and employer liaisons. The GDYT program also handles youth payroll.
  • Wages and Hours – GDYT youth, ages 14-17, will be paid $8.00 per hour and youth 18 and up will make $9.50 per hour. Participants are allowed to work a total of 120 hours, typically working 20 hours per week for six weeks. Most youth will be on the job 4 hours a day, Monday-Thursday, and spend Fridays in their work readiness program.

 

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