Mayor Eric Garcetti, in collaboration with Los Angeles County Supervisors Don Knabe, Hilda Solis and the Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department, today launched the Hire LA’s Youth 2016 initiative with a pledge to connect more than 15,000 young Angelenos with summer employment.
The program provides youth ages 14 to 24 with job skills and money management training, and the opportunity to earn what for some are first-time paychecks. Youth are employed in a variety of industries, including healthcare, financial services and hospitality. Jobs are also available at nonprofits and public agencies such as the Los Angeles Library, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and Los Angeles County Superior Court.
At today’s kick off at Grand Park, Mayor Garcetti thanked convenience store chain 7-11 and Citi Foundation for pledging jobs and financial support. With more than 500 stores in the greater Los Angeles region, 7-11 has agreed to hire at least one Hire LA’s participant per location for work this summer. Citi Foundation, a major financial sponsor, has contributed $1.4 million to Hire LA’s Youth since 2014. Bank of America is another major benefactor this year.
“We’re excited to see these young Los Angeles residents learn how to turn their first job into the start of their economic futures: opening bank or credit union accounts, directly depositing their pay, and learning how to manage their money,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “This is an investment in their financial futures, and we’re proud to partner with Mayor Garcetti and the Citi Foundation to support Los Angeles and our 7 other Summer Jobs Connect partner cities to help make this a success.”
Participants work up to 120 hours and earn $10.50 an hour, the new minimum wage that went into effect for LA City and County on July 1. Staff at the Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department partnered with numerous community and service agencies, including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, to coordinate this year’s program and to provide pre-employment skills training.
Jan Perry, EWDD’s General Manager, said the program is off to a good start with more than 13,000 jobs pledged so far. But Perry said more jobs are needed and she asked employers in the private sector to consider hiring at least one young Angeleno this summer.
“It’s wonderful to join with our county partners to administer a program in the city and county,” Perry said. “But without the private sector and the opportunity for placement we would not be able to offer the depth and breadth of jobs. This is an opportunity for our youth to gain skills that will enable them to compete.”
Hire LA’s Youth is a key component of the Youth Workforce Development System in the City and County of Los Angeles, and a signature element of Mayor Garcetti’s agenda to strengthen LA’s economy and to expose low-income youth to career opportunities. This year, specific opportunities are targeted to youth from families receiving CalWORKS assistance, foster youth, youth on probation and homeless youth.
For more information on how to hire a youth or to register for job placement, go to www.HireLAYouth.com.
