Governor Rell: Statewide Labor Programs

Gearing Up for Summer Youth Workforce

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that hundreds of worksites around the state are gearing up to get younger – for the summer.

The Governor signed Senate Bill 2001 last week, which appropriates $11 million in federal stimulus labor funds for a summer job program for as many as 5,000 disadvantaged youths. The $11 million is part of $30 million in stimulus workforce funds, with the remainder to be used for adult and dislocated workers.

“These teenagers and young adults will now have exceptional opportunities to gain valuable hands-on experience in any number of jobs in their communities. These are summertime experiences that could help shape the talents and character of a young person for a lifetime,” Governor Rell said. “These funds also will help give employers the workforce they need and the resources to pay for them.”

The program, administered by the state Labor Department is coordinated through five regional Workforce Investment Boards. The summer jobs will be provided to young men and women 14 to 24 years of age. State Labor officials say the popular program has attracted nearly 11,000 applicants.

The Workforce Investment Boards find jobs for the young workers with non-profits, private industry and municipal organizations. Jobs include office work, graphic design assistants, hospital and nursing home aides and recreation and park staff. All jobs comply with state wage and workforce regulations and meet all safety requirements.

The state’s five regional workforce boards are: The WorkPlace in Bridgeport; Capital Workforce Partners in Hartford; Workforce Alliance in New Haven; Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board in Franklin; and Northwest Regional Workforce Board in Waterbury.

For information on youth employment: www.ct.gov/dol. For stimulus programs in Connecticut: www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.