Grant will help provide jobs for 68 youths in Rowan County

The city of Salisbury will partner with the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency to provide summer job opportunities for teens and young adults, ages 14 to 24.

The partnership receives grant funding from the Centralina Workforce Development Board, which has received money through the federal stimulus package.

The program will offer civic, community, government, profit and nonprofit agencies the opportunity to offer 8- to 10-week employment opportunities for qualifying area youth.

The potential for extensions through a 10-month workforce grant are available in some instances.

The program aims at providing jobs for 68 people in Rowan County and 58 in Cabarrus County.

About $241,000 will be available to Rowan and $200,000 to Cabarrus.

Beginning wages will vary from $7.25 an hour to $7.50 depending on age, experience and job duties.

In preparation for employment, first-time workers will attend a weeklong training session in face-to-face communications, work ethics, punctuality, assistance in job application completion and employment attainment.

Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz said, the program offers a strong match to the Next Steps Action Agenda created through the Salisbury-Rowan United Youth Summit held during June 2007.

"One of the areas specifically identified by our citizens was that of 'Jobs and Educational Job Opportunities' to ready youth for future employment," Kluttz said.

She also noted that citizens identified mentoring as an additional need.

"During their summer employment," Kluttz said, "youth will receive mentoring support and constructive guidance from city employees who will serve as positive role models to these young individuals."

Departments identified within the city for potential job placement opportunities include Parks & Recreation, Utilities, Fire, Cemetery, Facilities Maintenance and Human Resources.

Additional clerical, computer and lab placement opportunities may also be obtainable based upon project evaluation.

Case workers will identify placement opportunities based on individual career interests, skill sets, and availability.

Executive Director Elizabeth P. Fields and Workforce Investment Act Program Director Joann P. Diggs, both of the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Inc., will oversee the program.

All eligible youth must meet low-income guidelines and be current residents of the county. Individuals can be in-school or out-of-school, but must meet the 14 to 24 age requirement.

"I feel this year's Summer Youth Employment program is a much needed opportunity for our area youth, based upon the recent economic blows, amid massive layoffs locally," Diggs said.

"Our area youth deserve an opportunity to play a vital role in promoting the nation's economic recovery."

For questions regarding the WIA Summer Youth Employment Program, contact Diggs at 704-216-2189, or at jdiggs52@srcsc.com.