Louisville Mayor Aiming for 2,000 Jobs for Youths This Summer

The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, Greg Fischer, wants businesses in the town to provide some 2,000 youths with jobs when the summer months arrive, according to WDRB. A press release from the mayor’s office said the jobs will be in support of his SummerWorks program.

The United States Conference of Mayors recognized the program as one of the best in the country for summer jobs. Last summer there were 1,500 youths placed in jobs.

“Though the economy has improved, teens and young adults still face a much higher unemployment rate than adults,” Fischer said. “A summer job can be the turning point in a young person’s life – with a value and impact way beyond the paycheck they earn.”

SummerWorks was created by Fischer in 2011, not long after he took office. The first year of the program saw 200 youths placed into summer jobs. The following year saw 400 youths placed into summer jobs.

Plenty of youths who found work in seasonal jobs through the program were able to acquire full-time jobs with the same companies and sometimes other companies. Companies that are not able to hire this coming summer can help a youth find a job. This can be done with a $2,000 donation, which will employ one person at a non-profit agency.

Michael Gritton is the executive director of KentuckianaWorks. Gritton talked highly of the mayor’s SummerWorks program.

“These two programs are putting young people in touch with some of Louisville’s premier employers and offering the teens and young adults a variety of opportunities to increase their work skills and focus on future careers,” he said.