Workforce Alliance Program Provides Summer Jobs for Over One Thousand Palm Beach County Youths

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than one thousand young adults of Palm Beach County, aged 18 to 24, have obtained summer jobs at employer worksites throughout the County with their wages being paid by Workforce Alliance. The funds are being provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the "Stimulus Bill" and the jobs are being provided by area businesses and municipalities.

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Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Alliance, said, "The entire community contributed to making the summer youth program successful and can be justly proud of its results. The Palm Beach County employers participating in the program are very pleased with their 'summer hires.' The participants went through a required three-day work readiness course prior to reporting to their six-week employment assignment."

Ms. Schmidt added, "We are very thankful to the businesses and municipalities who volunteered to take part in the program by providing safe and meaningful employment experiences that will help the young participants get started on a career, or earn money to further their education."

Participating employers and youth have shared these comments:

FASTSIGNS of North Palm Beach employed participant Andrew Cesar at its Northlake Blvd. facility and owner, Lisa Bondurant said, "He is an interested and quick learner, and is also extremely appreciative of any training and assistance he is provided." The company has rotated him from the production side to the graphics department for a full learning experience with the business. One of the projects he completed was a sign to be used by Workforce Alliance as it places its mobile resource units in community outreach locations.

Sancilio and Company, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, filled five positions in production and three in administration at their two Palm Beach County facilities. Owner, Alex Sancilio, explained, "We began by having each participant fill out an application and then go through an interview process. We then put them through proper training before placing them in what we determined to be the right work position for each individual. They now work right alongside scientists and are part of our team."

Erickson Farm in Canal Point employed two of the summer youth and Krista Erickson, operations manager of the 60-acre farm, gave high praise to the program: "All potential employers want people with experience. Now, both of our participants have solid workplace experience and will have a reference to place on their resumes when seeking future employment. One of the participants is an office assistant and the second youth helps in the process of packing crates of fruits for shipping to customers all over the world."

The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County employed Shanique Jarret, 19, of West Palm Beach, and assigned her to projects that employ her considerable skills in computer literacy. Ms. Jarret said she is impressed by the professional atmosphere of the office, and plans to attend Palm Beach Community College at the end of the summer program. "I plan to take courses leading to a teaching position, and then continue to study something related to law."

Taylor Productions of Lake Worth and the City of West Palm Beach Northwood Youth Empowerment Center Four accepted four of the youth participants for summer employment. Company President, Dwayne Taylor, said, "They are learning video production techniques and are involved in producing a documentary on their own program, the Workforce Alliance summer employment program." Upon completion, the documentary will be placed on the Workforce Alliance web site.

Jeff Industries' Tim Tycocki is very pleased with the results of the program and said, "This program helps the youth and it helps our business. Just as Brandon got here, we got an unexpected job. He stepped right in, learned the techniques and is helping get the job done." The participant, Brandon Barrett, said, "I'm glad to get the opportunity to learn the trade here at Jeff Industries. Without it, I would probably have spent the summer just hanging out on the street with my friends."

Lagoon Keepers, a company that does boat repair and salvage work, employed three participants. The Executive Director and Founder, Greg Reynolds, said, "They are learning boat repair, the use of basic tools as well as some unusual industry-specific tools and are also accompanying our crews as we respond to boating hazards."

The Riviera Beach Marina is one of the worksites for youths hired by the City of Riviera Beach. Dockmaster David Napier said, "The young men assigned here will learn a wide variety of marina tasks during the six week period." He and his staff initially instructed the summer employees in the safety precautions that are necessary in such operations as using a forklift to move boats. The four youths employed at the site are James Dorsey, Joshua Hutchinson, Tron Johnson, and Timothy Lowery II.

Workforce Alliance, as the organization chartered by the State of Florida to develop a quality workforce system in Palm Beach County, was the recipient of the Stimulus Bill funds to operate the summer program. Workforce Alliance operates three Career Centers and Professional Placement Centers that offer workforce and employment services to all employers and to both youth and adult job seekers in the County on a year-round basis. The Career Centers are located in Belle Glade, Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach. The addresses and phone numbers are listed on the Workforce Alliance website, www.pbcalliance.com.

SOURCE Workforce Alliance