The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Gadsden County School Board, the Gadsden County Development Council (GCDC), the City of Quincy, Tallahassee Community College Division of Workforce Development, and CareerSource Capital Region, recently announced the launch of a new summer job youth initiative program for Gadsden County young people who are between the ages of 17-19.
The program will provide training that leads to industry-recognized certifications that support four in-demand industries: manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and public service.
Additionally, youth will be placed with local employers in one of the four industries identified throughout Gadsden County to gain work experience using the skills they’ve learned.
The program’s objective is to develop guided career pathways for Gadsden County youth to create a skilled and trained workforce prepared to meet employers’ current and future needs.
“An able and ready workforce is critical to ensure a strong economic future for Gadsden County,” Board. Chairperson Brenda Holt said. “The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners is committed to providing access to job opportunities to the young people who are educated and live in Gadsden County. We are pleased that our local businesses, other governmental entities, and community organizations have agreed to participate in this essential work program.”
The Gadsden Youth Initiative program will begin accepting applications Monday, May 17 through Monday, May 31, and is open to Gadsden County residents ages 17-19 who are currently attending school in the Gadsden County School District (public, private) and who would like to get a jumpstart on their future.
“Youth represent the largest unemployed group nationally, statewide, and locally,” said Kimberly A. Moore, Tallahassee Community College’s Vice President for Workforce Innovation. “Therefore, it’s imperative that communities join forces to create opportunities that provide youth with the skills required to enter the workforce and placed on a path that can lead to a career.”
Positions will be available in government, the private sector, and nonprofit agencies for summer opportunities. The county commission will be hiring 100 youth during the summer, offering $8.65 an hour, 20-hours a week, for up to eight weeks, including two weeks of future-ready training.
“My fellow commissioners and I believe that the Gadsden Youth Initiative is the board’s promise to the County’s future educational and employment empowerment of our youth. We are building stronger bridges to assist in the transition from high school to work,” Holt said. “This is a new beginning for the future of Gadsden County. We are calling on all businesses, small and large, those from the public and private sector, our service providers, our banks, nonprofit organizations, and our higher education institutions to partner with us to prepare and provide meaningful work experiences for our youth.”
For more information on the Gadsden Youth Initiative, visit gadsdencountyfl.gov
Special to The Herald – Mail@gadsdencountytimes.com
