TWIB Helps Area Youth Become Self Sufficient and Productive Members of the Workforce

Charleston, SC, January 06, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB) received almost $1.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide tri-county in and out-of school youth aged 16-24 with employment and educational experiences though the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

The SYEP ran from May 1 – September 30, 2009. More than 560 youth were placed in over 400 business positions across the entire Lowcountry. Youth worked in 4, 6, and 9-week segments and were paid $7.25 an hour using the ARRA funds. Eligibility requirements stated that participants were to be unemployed high school and college students, out of school youth over age 18, single parents, and those working on their GED.

The TWIB collaborated with Palmetto Youth Connections, who oversees the TWIB’s program that assists out-of-school youth with the training, education, and career employability skills needed to succeed in the current and future labor markets.

Youth jobs included: Landscapers; Truck Drivers; Warehouse Attendants; Recreation Counselors; Maintenance Workers; Teacher Assistants; Sales Associates; Stockers; Clerical workers; Caregiver Assistants; Receptionists; Camp Counselors; Program Assistants; Postal Clerks; Desk Clerks; Medical Records Clerks; and Data Entry Technicians.

In addition to gaining employment experience, students at Burke, Stall, Berkeley and Woodland high schools participated in a Credit Recovery Program (CRP) that allowed them to earn high school credits as well as learn work skills. The students who had not successfully attained enough credits to graduate on time were able to attend a comprehensive course taught at their respective high schools.

“We identified 14 students who would benefit from the Credit Recovery Program and who were also eligible for the SYEP,” said Kenneth Utsey, Woodland HS principal. The students attended a 45-minute credit recovery class and then worked 4 hours in the school, doing clerical work and working with the custodians.

“Students don’t always see school as friendly, caring environment. Because this experience taught them that we did care about them, they gained more respect for the school and their teachers. Some of the students had been discipline problems. Once they realized that people cared about them their attitudes changed toward their school. They were proud of what they did,” said Utsey.

The SYEP was designed to measure the work readiness of the youth, or what is commonly referred to as the “soft skills” in the workplace.

“Soft skills include attributes related to attitude, mental preparation, and emotional well being, as well as the ability to be at work on time, and possess the people skills that would allow them to adapt to different situations and personalities,” said Joyce Coakley, Trident Workforce Investment Board project officer who was responsible for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Both employers and youth employees were asked to evaluate the program.

Overwhelmingly, both employers and employees agreed that if they could change one thing about the summer program it would be the length of time afforded the workers. Both groups voiced that the time was just too short and that the youth should be able to work the entire summer.

When asked to rate the workers’ performance, more than 95% gave the students a satisfactory rating, and commented that their best skills included: “customer service, organizing, computers, listening well, being attentive to detail, and being able to relate to customers.” Other comments included: “Hard worker; never had to be told what to do.” “Very pleasant to work with.”

Over 98% of the employers said that they would recommend the program to a colleague and more than 95% wanted to participate next year. 100% of the youth who answered the evaluation said that they wanted to participate again next year if given the opportunity.

Employers rewarded their youth employees in a number of ways. The staff at the County Library gave their youth employee a going away party because he was an “excellent, independent worker.”

In the closing evaluations, the youth were asked “Did you feel you were treated fairly?” Over 95% said they were treated like adults and productive contributors to the workplace. When asked “What did you like best about your job?” a frequent answer was “they made me feel welcome.”

During her monitoring visits Coakley observed that the best part of the program was that “I saw hope come alive in the young people. With all the news surrounding the down economy and high unemployment, this program gave these youth the opportunity to gain important work skills and experience with good salaries.”

This program has multiple success stories and not only in the tri-county area. More than 226,000 of the nation’s young people had the opportunity to participate. The Southeast states accounted for almost 29% of the national total.

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