|
圖由麻州州長辦公室提供 |
麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie
Baker)昨(七月三十)日和一百名參加麻州“青少年工作(YouthWorks)”項目的青少年們晤談,藉以強調及早獲得工作經驗和長期職業發展成功之間的相互關係。
麻州今年約有4000名年紀在14至21歲之間的青少年參加“青少年工作”項目,進入公家機構,私營企業或非牟利機構做暑期工。
“青少年工作“是由麻州政府資助,管理的半官方機構,代表麻州州長辦公室的勞工及人力發展辦公室辦理服務。麻州州長查理貝克在早前簽署的2016會計年度預算中,編列了1150萬元給“青少年工作”辦理下一年度暑期工項目,數額之高打破歷年紀錄。
麻州州長辦公室表示,全美迄今只有麻州由州政府撥款,為低收入青少年辦理準備就業,及早獲取就業經驗的項目。
從2007年迄今,已有33,000名青少年曾藉由“青少年工作”獲得工作經驗。
查理貝克昨天和麻州勞工及人力發展卿朗納沃克二世(Ronald
Walker, II),波士頓紅襪隊營運長山姆甘迺迪(Sam Kennedy),以及波士頓警察局副局長William
Gross等人,一起到麥特潘(Mattapan)參觀了辦理這項目的機構之一,波士頓社區發展行動(ABCD)經營的鄰里中心。
波士頓警察局每年雇用大約60名青少年。
波士頓社區發展行動(ABCD)和大約250個雇主合作,今年夏天為大約1,050名波士頓青少年提供了暑期工機會。
根據調查,在上高中期間,每週工作20小時以上的學生,和那些不工作的學生相比,後來大學畢業的比率更高。那些有工作經驗的青少年,在職業生涯後期的職位,一般也較高。
Governor Baker Highlights Record $11.5 Million for YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program
Program provides over 4,000 teenagers invaluable work experience in public, private, non-profit sectors
BOSTON – Highlighting the importance of early work experience and its correlation to long-term career success, Gov. Charlie Baker today met with nearly 100 young people benefitting from the Commonwealth’s YouthWorks summer jobs program.
Approximately 4,000 teenagers across the Commonwealth are participating in the YouthWorks program this summer, which provides summer jobs in the public, non-profit and private sectors to lower-income young people ages 14 to 21.
YouthWorks is a state-funded program administered by Commonwealth Corporation – a quasi-public state agency – on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The Fiscal Year 2016 budget signed by Governor Baker earlier this month allocated $11.5 million to YouthWorks – the highest amount ever for the program – for next summer’s programming.
Massachusetts is one of the only states in the nation to invest in state-funded early work experiences and work-readiness programs for low-income young people.
Since 2007, more than 33,000 young people have been employed through YouthWorks.
Gov. Baker on Thursday visited a neighborhood center in Mattapan operated by Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) – one of the non-profit organizations that facilitates the YouthWorks jobs program.
“With YouthWorks, we are aligning what employers tell us they need in future workers with experience, education and skill-building programs,” Governor Baker said. “We need to replicate what works and do more of it so young men and women can find a path that leads them to a job and ultimately a career.”
Governor Baker was joined by Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker, II, and Boston Red Sox’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Kennedy, along with Boston Police Superintendent William Gross. The Boston Police Department employs approximately 60 teenagers every summer.
“Companies tell us again and again they cannot find enough skilled workers to fill available jobs,” Secretary Walker said. “By supporting young people in acquiring the skills they need to enter and be successful in the workforce, we’re also meeting the needs of businesses for a pipeline of skilled workers.”
“We are tremendously grateful to Governor Baker and our state legislators for their support of state funding for youth summer jobs, including expanded funding for next summer,” said John Drew, president and chief executive officer of ABCD. “That increase is a critical step in serving the needs of thousands of Boston teens from low-income families who are eager to work, learn and succeed.”
ABCD, through its SummerWorks program, partnered with 250 employers to provide 1,050 Boston teens jobs this summer. The young people are working in museums, health centers, and day camps, among other places. The Boston Police Department employs young people every year, offering teenagers mentorship and class discussions in order to strengthen relationships between inner-city teens and police.
The rigors of the program were raised this year with new requirements aimed at ensuring teens leave with a plan to help them find their next job in the private sector. Young people who get jobs this summer must have a résumé, and a portfolio describing the skills they earned when they finish working.
They must also participate in “Signal Success,” a new hands-on work readiness education program overseen by Commonwealth Corporation.
Work experience is critically important for the long-term success of young people. Research shows teens who work have long-term gains in employment, future earnings, and educational outcomes.
Students who work up to 20 hours per week during high school are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than students who do not work, research shows. Teens with early work experience also tend to attain work in higher-level occupations later in life, and tend to have jobs with pension plans and employer-provided health insurance.