Posted by Lisa Strawbridge - email
LUCAS COUNTY (WTOL) - Summer vacation is weeks away, and some teens are ready to work. But most businesses aren't ready to hire.
"You have to go everywhere. Then you fill out a long application, and then they don't end up hiring you. You have an interview, and they still don't hire you," said Aleshia Taylor.
With a $2.3 million boost from the federal government, the Lucas County Workforce Development Agency hopes to stimulate the summertime economy.
Local movers and shakers learned how they can put those dollars to use and put the youth to work at the Economic Workforce Stimulus Update. "We have a work-site agreement that hopefully, business, community, and non-profit agencies, entities and organizations will take back with them and fill out. They can identify a number of young people, hopefully, aged 16-24 that they can provide a positive work experience," said agency Director Eric Walker.
Walker says $200,000 is set aside to cover administrative costs to agencies that link youth to jobs.
One attendee told us, "There's a lot of things that need to be done in the community as far as cleaning up, and maintenance needs to be done around that area."
A group called Assets Toledo said, "We train people how to go into business, but more importantly, how to stay in business."
The rest of the $2.3 million will go to the workers. Any worker that shows perfect attendance and initiative can make up to $1500, plus get a $100 dollar bonus.
