LYNN, Mass. – Gov. Deval Patrick today called on Bay State employers to provide jobs this summer for Massachusetts teens. His comments came at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute during this year’s launch of the YouthWorks summer jobs initiative for low-income workers ages 14 to 21.
“By giving our children the opportunity to work during the summer months, we are providing them with the chance to learn the skills that will help them in the world beyond the classroom,” Patrick said in a statement. “Investing in YouthWorks is a win-win proposition for employers and youth.”
Joining the governor for the kickoff were Mass. Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Suzanne M. Bump, Lynn Mayor Edward “Chip” Clancy, Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, school officials and local employers.
“We know that there has been a decline in the labor force participation rate among teens,” Bumps said, adding: “While there is no quick fix, YouthWorks provides a good starting point.”
This summer the state is offering $4.6 million in YouthWorks funding, 15 percent more than last year. Divided among 22 Massachusetts cities – including New Bedford and the Fall River/Taunton area – it will help provide jobs to more than 2,500 young workers.
But, Bump said, “Employer involvement is absolutely vital to the success of YouthWorks, because the demand for jobs far exceeds the supply of available opportunities.” Hiring teens is relatively inexpensive, state officials noted. For instance, a 20-hour-per-week job paying $7.50 per hour would cost an employer $150 per week, or $1,200 for eight weeks.
The YouthWorks program is administered by the Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency, on behalf of the Mass. Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
Additional information on Massachusetts’ 2007 YouthWorks Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth is available at www.commcorp.org or by calling the employer hotline at (866) 968-8461.
Employers in greater New Bedford also may contact Wendy Andrade at (508) 979-1700 or Wandrade@detma.org, while employers in Fall River, Taunton and surrounding communities may contact the Bristol Workforce Area’s Maria Frazier at (508) 675-1165 or mfrazier@detma.org.
