YouthWorks celebrates 25 years of developing our workforce
Montgomery County’s YouthWorks program started as eight weeks of summer employment to teach kids basic soft skills like showing up on time, being respectful and having a good attitude. Since those humble beginnings with just a couple dozen kids in 1999, the program has changed into a year-round effort that has benefited thousands of area youth.
Today, about 1,554 young people ages 14-18 participate in YouthWorks, making long-term career plans and having periodic checkins with Montgomery County workforce professionals to make sure they are staying on track with their plans.
“We’re not only going to ask you what you want to be when you grow up, but we’re also going to help you get there,” said Karla Creel, workforce development manager for Youth Career Services. “We also offer the work experience opportunity to help them make informed decisions. Sometimes a job doesn’t turn out to be what they thought it was, which can cause them to change long-term career plans.”
The work experience portion of the program is a great thing for both the youth and the employers. All of the hourly wages are covered by Montgomery County, as is workers compensation insurance. Interested employers can call 937-224-1482 or email creelK@ mcohio.org to get involved.
“As a YouthWorks employer, you are really investing your time in the future of our workforce,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge. “Some of our employers liked the kids assigned to them so much that they decided to employ them after they were finished with the YouthWorks program.”
“It’s really a win-win for all concerned,” Dodge added. “Worksites get some free (to them) labor, and the kids begin to understand what is expected of them in the workplace and how to retain employment.”
Youth participating in YouthWorks are also part of the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program, which targets youth 14-18 years of age. Kids also get connected to Clothes That Work, which will provide them with work uniforms or business casual attire. Through CCMEP at the Youth Resource Center, young people who need public assistance such as food assistance can get expedited benefits.
To stay in a YouthWorks work experience program during the school year, children must maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average and must be 16 or older. If an enrolled student is struggling academically, they can participate in study table during the academic school year.
To expose kids to jobs they could eventually get, a four-part public safety series was offered this past fall, featuring local police and fire departments, the Sheriff ’s Office and four branches of military service. Participants also got a taste of what healthcare jobs are like when they heard from professionals from Premier Health, Kettering Health and Children’s Medical Center.
In some cases, kids explore what various jobs are like by using one of two sets of Virtual Reality glasses YouthWorks employs.
Placements for summer work experience have already started. If you would like to learn more about YouthWorks, go to the Youth tab at thejobcenter.org.