Youth Employment Program

Workers and employers all over the world are still reeling from the effects of Covid-19. Employers are finding it hard to hire people, local employers are turning to teens to help fill vacant posts during the summer, especially in restaurants and retail. 

The City of Denver's Youth Employment Program is one such step taken to help teens find employment. Denver City Council will vote to approve an agreement between the city and Denver Public Schools for $600,000 to help 194 teens gain valuable work experience. The program will offer job training before setting the candidates up with suitable employment opportunities. Susan Liehe who works with Denver's Office of Economic Development and Opportunity said that "We used to struggle to get employers willing to take on a young person. Now we have lots of employers." Giving more insight into the program she says, "They'll get someone from the DPS team or our own team working to follow along all summer. If they have a problem with the employer, or the employer's dissatisfied, we can step in. It's not just one and done and after the 10th of June you don't hear from us again. It's a case management model." The students will also be given guidance in filing taxes, financial planning, etc. The program is focused on youth from lower-income families. DPS plans to train teens who are likely to encounter some barrier to employment such as English language learners, having a cognitive or physical disability or living in foster care. 

Teens will have the opportunity to work 120 hours earning at least minimum wage. 

Source: 4 CBS Denver