Governor Peter Shumlin and the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) has announced the awarding of $135,000 of federal Workforce Investment Act funds to 12 organizations in Vermont to administer the Summer Employment Opportunity (SEO) programs. The purpose of the SEO program is to provide young Vermonters with meaningful work experiences to increase their employment, academic and personal skills and confidence. Approximately 134 youth ages 14 to 21 - will be served by the grant-funded programs. The federal program serves youth with multiple risk factors such as low income, housing problems, non-completion of high school, parenting a child, involvement with the corrections system, or other life challenges that potentially create barriers for successful transition to gainful employment.
When Vermont employers both public and private provide work opportunities for our youth, it helps to build their confidence, skills and commitment to pursuing their educational and career goals. I ask all Vermont employers to consider sponsoring summer employment opportunities for some of the young people in their local area who want to work and gain valuable experiences. Developing Vermonts future workforce is a responsibility we all share, said Governor Peter Shumlin, in announcing the awards.
Under the SEO grants, the Department of Labors Youth Caseworkers will determine eligibility, recruit and refer youth to appropriate employment opportunities. During the end of June and into July, WIA-eligible youth will be placed on job sites including agricultural projects, health care settings, conservation and restoration work, as well as office work, child care, and other job settings. Several projects provide locally grown, harvested and prepared food to homeless shelters, food shelves and farmers markets. Another project involves the youth in working on park trails and recreation sites. They also participate as camp counselors, and engage with small businesses in Vermont.
Organizations awarded grants are:
Big Heavy World, Burlington
The Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County, Rutland
City of Winooski, Winooski
Food Works at Two Rivers, Montpelier
Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program, Leicester
Montpelier Parks Department, Montpelier
Navicate, Inc.(formally Linking Learning to Life), Burlington
Northeast Kingdom Community Action, Newport
Sunrise Family Center, Bennington
The Tutorial Center, Inc., Bennington
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Richmond
Youth Services, Inc., Brattleboro
For information on how to participate, contact the regional VDOL Career Resource Center.
Vermont Department of Labor awards summer employment opportunity grants
Submitted by tim
on