City of Seattle wants to help young people get summer jobs

The City of Seattle is working on a number of programs to get the city’s youth out and working this summer.

“A young person’s first job is an important step on their path to adulthood and independence. Unfortunately, many of today’s young people don’t have the same employment opportunities that previous generations did,” says a post on Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn’s blog.

McGinn tells KIRO Radio’s Seattle’s Morning News they have a number of campaigns underway to get kids working this summer.

“We want every kid in the city to grow up, have opportunity, be a real asset to the community as they grow up and join the workforce, become members of the community.”

One of the programs underway is Youth @ Work, that helps private sector employers increase the number of youth summer job opportunities.

“We’ll identify the kids. We’ll help with the hiring and placement, and the mentoring of the youth that are placed through this as well.”

The city itself also has a number of seasonal work positions available including lifeguard positions at several area beaches and pools.

“Even if you don’t know how to lifeguard, you can sign up for a class and learn about it through the parks department,” says McGinn.

They also have a program specific to at-risk youth. They are calling out to the arts and culture community to support this campaign.

“We know that this is a big, growing field in Seattle. There are real jobs here,” says McGinn. “It’s also something that’s really appealing to kids, to be in this field, so that’s what we’re focusing on to add jobs this summer.”

The job program is part of the city’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. Youth that are eligible for the program include those that have had run-ins with the juvenile justice system, as well as those identified by schools or community members as someone who hangs out with those that have been pulled into the justice system.

“What we want to do is identify, intervene, prevent and provide a set of programs, after school programs, enrichment programs, mentoring programs, as well as summer jobs to give these young kids a better path,” says McGinn.

Such programs not only help youth, but contribute to the community at-large the city says.

“Summer youth employment also give our region’s employers talent for the long term: Today’s youth are our region’s future workforce,” says the mayor’s blog.