Palm Bay Launches Summer Youth Employment Program

By  //  April 4, 2014

CITY IS PARTNERING with CareerSource Brevard

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA — As many as 30 incoming high school seniors will have an opportunity to work and learn valuable career skills through a new summer youth employment program sponsored by the city in partnership with CareerSource Brevard and the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Juniors to Jobs focuses on helping the students from Palm Bay’s three area high schools to develop work readiness, financial and career exploration skills along with meaningful paid work experience opportunities with Palm Bay businesses.

William Capote
William Capote

“I want to challenge Palm Bay’s employers to accept and sponsor at least one youth for the summer through this program,” said Mayor William Capote.  “This is so much more than just providing a job.  It’s about investing in the future of our community by educating our youth in how to be productive members of society with strong work ethics, integrity, and dependability.” 

Businesses that sign up for a sponsorship opportunity will employ a student for 25-hours per week for a five week period at a cost of $640.00.  The students will be paid through Spherion Staffing which will handle all the payroll administration for the program which is being administered through CareerSource Brevard.  A grant from the Palm Bay Municipal Foundation, Inc. will fund the remainder of the program’s cost.

“This is about investing in Palm Bay’s workforce by building a pipeline of young citizens that will be ready to work and meet the challenges of the future hiring needs of our employers,” said Marci Brilley, vice president of operations for CareerSource Brevard.   “This program relies on our business partners to invest in our future and create and support a strong, competitive work force.”

In 2013 Florida’s unemployment rate for youth ages 16-24 was 12.1% compared to a 7.1% total unemployment rate.

Vicki Northrup
Vicki Northrup

“The Palm Bay Chamber encourages its members, as well as all the businesses, to take a look at this unique opportunity to hire a student this summer,” said Victoria Northrup, president and CEO for the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce.  “This affords our next generation of workers the opportunity to learn skills geared toward their future career and also to show this work experience on their resumes.”

JUNIORSTOJOBS-LOGO-180The Juniors to Jobs program is modeled after successful youth programs in other cities around the country and was born out of Palm Bay’s participation in the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The program is scheduled to begin on June 23 and run through July 25, 2014.  The first week will involve intensive foundation training where students will learn professional etiquette, proper attire, interview skills and financial management.

Upon completion of this training the program participants will have an opportunity to meet with sponsoring businesses. They will then be best matched with their individual preferences.