Summer Jobs Initiative Gives Young Workers Opportunities

Summer Jobs+ is a new call-to-action for government, non-profits and businesses to provide job opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth during the summer of 2012. If interested in joining the initiative, employers can choose to help by providing life skills, work skills or a learn-and-earn approach.

• Life skills entails providing soft skills, such as communication or time management, through coursework and mentoring.
• Work skills involves providing job shadowing opportunities and internships that will help prepare youths for employment.
• The learn-and-earn approach provides on-the-job skills in learning environments while earning wages.

The initiative's website provides additional resources and information on how to become involved. In addition, DOL reports that a new online tool will be available within weeks for youths to search for summer opportunities.