VENTURA, CA—California Youth@Work, a $1.75 million program funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and administered by the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County (WIB), helped 630 young people to prepare for work internships with Ventura County employers this summer. Youth enrollment in the program was coordinated by Path Point and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, in partnership with local community-based organizations and the Ventura County Human Services Agency.

The program provides early work experience for young people (ages 14 to 24) who might not otherwise have the opportunity to find employment. Although the program for younger youth ended on September 30, it will continue for out-of-school youth (ages 18-24).

As part of the program, young people receive work experience from private, nonprofit and public companies while earning $8 per hour. They also complete eight hours of job readiness training in career planning, job search, leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills. Employer payroll costs are covered by ARRA funding. In all, 114 employers provided work experience at more than 150 worksites in Ventura County.

"California Youth@Work offers a tremendous opportunity for both employers and youth," says Alex Rivera, WIB vice chair and senior manager, human resources at Telair International in Simi Valley. "Young people develop job skills for the future. Businesses help to support economic development by training and mentoring our future workforce.”

"Research has shown that summer internships are one of the best ways to get youth on a positive career and educational path," says Kay Faulconer Boger, chair of the WIB Youth Council and dean, Ventura College. "The summer jobs program has been a success not only in providing important work readiness and work experience skills, but also in forging public/private sector partnerships on which to build in the future."

Ten teens were part of the program at Anchor Blue in Oxnard. "It was a positive experience," says Cecilia Garcia, a floor manager at Anchor Blue in Oxnard. "Some of the teens were shy at first, but as they began feeling more confident, they started talking with customers and taking the initiative." Garcia says they will be hiring at least three of the teens for the holidays.

Manager of the TJ Maxx in Moorpark, Kelly Tabbara, also believes the summer program was an asset to both employers and teens. "All the kids were under 18 and this was their first work experience. They definitely contributed to our store," says Tabbara. "After working hard, they were excited to get their first paycheck." The store is hoping to hire some of the student workers after the program ends.

"Until about a decade ago, our nation had a thriving summer jobs program that helped youth to succeed in the workplace. Funding was eliminated, and now we are facing the highest youth unemployment rates since tracking began 60 years ago," says Cheryl Moore, WIB executive director. "Looking to next year, we encourage Ventura County employers to create opportunities for summer youth internships, whether the county receives federal stimulus funds or not. Today’s young people are the economy’s workforce of tomorrow. We cannot wait—we must invest in them now."

About the Workforce Investment Board

The Workforce Investment Board administers federal funds that help to support Job & Career Centers (JCC) and other adult, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. With additional resources from the County of Ventura Human Services Agency, the JCCs provide employment assistance, career training and education services to job seekers, and employee recruitment, customized training and employer consulting to local businesses. JCC services are provided at no cost to job seekers and employers. For more information, call 800-500-7705 or visit www.wib.ventura.org.