King County announces new summer youth employment program for low-income teens

Economic stimulus funds will create "green" summer for over 500 local area youth

May 6, 2009

Summer youth employment opportunities are opening up for low-income local area young people ages 16-24, thanks to funding from the federal economic stimulus package approved by the U.S. Congress earlier this year. Click here for the flyer.

The King County Work Training Program will sponsor a Summer Youth Employment Program from June-August for about 530 local area youth, in conjunction with the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. The program will help at-risk youth learn about emerging fields of employment, and become more "employment ready" through paid work experience.

"This innovative youth employment program will not just provide wages for the summer, but will help to open pathways to future career opportunities for at-risk youth and young adults," said Ron Sims, King County Executive. "With today's unemployment rates, it will be especially difficult for young people to find a summer job; yet here, they will have the unique opportunity to learn about jobs in health care, green building, and environmental protection through paid internships that will help them prepare for the future."

As part of the summer program, enrolled youth will receive an individual employment readiness and education assessment, job readiness training, and participate in career exploration and counseling about post-secondary education and training. Each youth will then be placed into paid work for a 150-hour internship in an area of their interest at $8.55/hour for July and August. Funding for the summer youth employment project is provided by the Workforce Development Council and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Partners will include local school districts and community and technical colleges and others.

Eligibility Requirements

The summer youth program is open to low-income young people ages 16-24. They must be King County residents, and U.S. citizens or non-citizens who are employment authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Young men ages 18 and older must register in compliance with the Selective Service Act.

How to Enroll

Space is limited, and students will be enrolled on a first-come, first serve basis once they have completed all required eligibility documents. Information sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - noon and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. through the end of May at WorkSource Renton.

Need more information? 

For more information about the program or the information sessions, contact Grace Kong, YouthSource Program Manager at 206-205-6765 grace.kong@kingcounty.gov or go to http://www.kingcounty.gov/socialservices/WorkTraining.aspx.