July 3, 2008
70 TEENS FIND SUMMER EMPLOYMENT WHILE ALSO TRAINING FOR FUTURE JOBS
Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence employing 70 teens, training them for future jobs, and providing job placement assistance.
Providence, RI – A recent issue of US News & World Report details how our lagging national economy is affecting teens across the country. The Center for Labor Market Studies of Northeastern University forecasts that “summer teen employment will not rise above 34%” this year. Many experts correlate low employment rates to a rise in crime committed by teens.
While many factors contribute to the crime rate, lack of gainful employment for the teenage population during the summer can lead to idle time that can be unproductive. Cities just like Providence are searching for ways to keep teens active during the summer months.
On June 30, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence (BGCP) marked the start of the third Summer Youth Employment Program. The six-week program offers teens the opportunity to earn a paycheck working in the Clubhouses while being taught the 11 competencies the Department of Labor established for young people to get – and keep – a job. The competencies include interviewing skills, effective time management, speaking in front of groups and how to dress for success. When the program began in 2006 BGCP had 20 teens enrolled. This summer they are employing 70 teens. The Youth Employment Program is made possible by a grant through Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston.
At the successful conclusion of the program BGCP assists interested teens with finding and securing their next job – last year they were able to place 80% of the program grads in new jobs.