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Smart Workforce Solutions
Business Services from the Missouri Career Centers of Joplin and Monett
WIB Announces Summer Youth Jobs Initiative
The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Southwest Missouri announced Wednesday its plans to offer a summer employment program that prepares youth across the region for exciting careers in high-demand, high-paying sectors for the 21st century.
The Next-Generation Jobs Team, matches youth ages 16 to 24 with paid summer jobs and internships at cutting-edge employers throughout the region. As part of the program, the WIB and Career Center staff assist young people to identify career fields of interest and then make value-added placements with participating employers.
“The Four-State Region’s economy is well-diversified and ripe with opportunities for youth in the career pipeline,” noted Jasen Jones, Executive Director for the WIB. “In addition to valuable work experience, it’s our goal that youth in this program see real life examples of how their current and future studies in school are relevant in today’s workplace,” Jones added.
Next-Generation Jobs Team participants will spend the summer gaining on-the-job training and work experience, along with ongoing guidance and support from professional career counselors from the Joplin and Monett Career Centers. Wages for the young workers are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
In the statewide announcements this week, Governor Nixon lauded how the program not only helps young people gain vital experience, it helps employers develop a pool of talent to meet their needs for educated and qualified workers and to “build the workforce that will lead Missouri’s economy into the future.”
Young Missourians or businesses interested in participating in the Next-Generation Jobs Team can apply by way of the website or call Kris Baldwin at 417-206-1717 Ext. 229. The program is available between May 1 and September 30, 2009. There is no fee to participate, but some eligibility requirements will apply.
The WIB is also recruiting employers that could benefit from providing internships to youth in growth-oriented, skills-driven sectors. Interested businesses may contact Gary Box at 417-206-1717 Ext. 227.