Summer job program targets teens, young adults
Teens and adults, age 16 to 24, can attain valuable on-the-job experiences, serve their community by working on green projects, earn a salary and receive educational resources during a new summer job program from Elgin Community College.
The program, called "Improving our Environment, Our Community and Ourselves," is offered by ECC Workforce Transitions Department and is funded through grants from the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County and the Kane County Department of Employment and Education via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Three groups are targeted in the program - in-school teens ages 16 to 18, out-of-school teens ages 16 to 18, and out-of-school adults ages 19-24. Each age group receives a different level of support to achieve success - community service projects and exposure to career opportunities for in-school teens; job search preparation and attainment, and GED classes for out-of-school teens, work readiness activities for out-of-school adults; and hands-on paid work experience for all enrolled students.
The program runs seven to 10 weeks and begins Monday, June 8 for out-of-school teens and adults. In-school teens begin June 22.
"This program provides life-changing opportunities for area youth and helps them establish a firm foundation to guide future study and employment," said Peggy Heinrich, dean of the Adult Basic Education Division, which includes Workforce Transitions.
Jobs for out-of-school teens and adults include greeters and transporters at area hospitals, various jobs through the village of Streamwood, and working for Habitat for Humanity at its ReStore warehouse. In-school youth will work as a cohort on green community service projects such as helping to restore an old area schoolhouse and various jobs through the Streamwood Park District.
"This is an up-and-coming field for potential future employment," Heinrich says about green jobs. "Students in the end will increase self-awareness, establish goals for the future and gain valuable work experience." In addition, two ECC film students will work with the in-school youth to create a mini-documentary about the summer program.
Participants are paid an hourly stipend for participation in on-site classes and receive an hourly minimum wage or a slightly higher wage for their work experience in the program.
The program is currently open for registration and includes transportation and business clothing resources. To schedule an appointment to discuss program requirements, contact the Alternatives/Workforce Transitions Department at (847) 214-6901.