Teenagers and young adults looking for early work experience can get started with the Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program by applying by March 24. The jobs include internships with local nonprofits, businesses and government departments with a minimum hourly wage of $15.75.
Youth can earn college credit through a STEM program and boot camp for jobs in hospitality, customer service, construction and landscaping. The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department also offers internships to work at several of their facilities.
Last year, the program employed almost 700 people at more than 200 worksites. The county hopes to offer more than 900 jobs through the program this summer.
With a minimum pay of $15.75 an hour, participants work 20 to 30 hours a week for four weeks in either June or July, which gives the young employees a chance to earn about $2,000 during the summer.
The county offers two four-week sessions. The first runs from June 2 to June 20 while the second lasts from July 3 to July 28.
People can apply online or pick up a paper application at schools and community centers. Parents and youth also find an application and more information at the Summer Youth and Family Resource Fair on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Youth Employment One-Stop Center on 320 N. Commerce Loop.
The deadline to apply is March 24 at 5 p.m.
High school or college students interested in applying have to submit their most recent report card or unofficial transcript by March 31, a week after the application deadline. Youth who are not in school have to take an Adult Basic Education test by the same March 31 deadline.
Employers who are interested in hiring young workers through the program can fill out a worksite request form online or call the Pima County Youth Employment Center at 520-724-9649.
The impact to the local economy from the program each summer, the county estimates, is about $1.5 million.
Participants in the program earn work experience, connections to employers and soft skills such as professionalism, Daphanie Conner, the program manager, said in a press release. Many participants also contribute to their household income, she said.
This content was originally published here.
