The city of Grand Rapids has opened applications for its summer job program for teens and young adults. The program aims to help youth develop job skills and gain real-life work experience while getting paid.
The city said the “GRow1000” program employed 184 youth last year at more than 50 unique job sites in areas including business, nonprofits, higher education, health care and government.
This summer participants will work 120 hours over a 6-week period beginning June 12 through July 21 and will earn $13 to $15 an hour.
Executive Director of Our Community’s Children, Shannon L. Harris, said in addition to employment, youth will participate in trainings before their start date. They will also take weekly ‘Go Further Friday’ trainings throughout the program.
“[Participants] will receive some additional professional development that will be paid…just like you and I we’re working, and our employer wants us to get additional training to help us do our job better, that’s what we’re going to do for our young people,” she said.
Harris said the goal is to ensure participants get exposure to the workplace while exploring career interests along the way.
“They’re not only to going to receive and grow, literally, during this time and receive professional development but we want then to really discover who they are as well,” she said.
Businesses and organizations can also apply to participate in the program by either providing a paid job or internship, or by making financial contributions for the placement of youth at local nonprofit organizations.
Harris said involvement from local businesses and organizations has been key to the program’s success so far.
“We want to make sure young people have access to these job opportunities and for six weeks really kind of discover what happens on the job and contribute to that workplace,” Harris said. “Some of our employers over the years have said you know this has been a fantastic opportunity for us to tap into a talent pipeline that we didn’t know existed.”
Youth applicants must be residents between the ages of 15 and 24 years old by June 12 and be eligible to work in the United States.
The deadline for youth to apply is April 28. More information can be found online at the city’s website.
