Online dating sites have nothing on the V.I. Labor Department, the premiere matchmaker in the territory.
With increased funding this year, the department expects to place hundreds of youth in jobs this summer, providing labor to local businesses and nonprofit agencies that, in turn, provide valuable work experience and training to the temporary employees.
The department is currently accepting applications from young people looking for work and from entities interested in partnering with Labor to help build the future workforce.
In a recent release, Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan announced two programs. The six-week summer youth work program is open to people ages 16 to 24, whether in school or not. Workers receive wages based on their age and academic status. There is also a four-week program for students aged 14 and 15, to provide life skills and career exploration.
“Territorywide we usually get about 2,000 applications (from youth) every year,” said Kendra Young, Labor administrative assistant based on St. Croix. “We’re looking for the numbers to really jump this year,” based on the amount of applications already submitted.
Fortunately funding for the program – a mix of local and federal grant money – has also increased. Last year there was enough to sponsor about 500 youth workers; this year, there’s sufficient for 700, Young said.
The call for employers is just going out now but participation in the past has been good. Young said some 68 agencies and businesses participated last year, and that’s just on St. Croix. St. Thomas figures were not immediately available.
The department provides preliminary training and ongoing support to the young participants. Materials on the website stress the importance of such basics as coming to work on time, calling in if sickness or an emergency dictates absence, and following directions for assigned tasks.
“We try to stress that this is the real world,” Young said.
Applicants fill out a form that includes their career interests, and Young said the department tries to fit those interests to the available job slots “as closely as possible.”
The types of jobs offered range widely. In recent years, the most popular area seems to be the medical field. Female applicants outstrip males, but the department tries to encourage young men to participate, she said.
Employers and organizations interested in participating in the summer youth employment program can obtain a request for program participation form and a “summer youth workshop application” by calling Labor at (340) 776-3700 ext. 2080 on St. Thomas; or (340) 773-1994 ext. 2145 on St. Croix; or at www.vidol.gov, under the “forms” tab. Applications are also available at Labor offices on both islands. Deadline to apply is May 16.
Mini grants of up to $4,500 are available for qualified service providers and organizations interested in providing life skills and career exploration activities for those 14 and 15 years old.
