There's too many employers and not enough kids. Margo Reda
Got jobs?
The answer for Geauga County youth ages 16 through 24 is “Yes.”
There are 124 summer jobs available at 28 local businesses and organizations through the county’s Summer Youth Employment Program through August, said Margo Reda, director of the county’s Ohio Means Jobs office, a.k.a. Job and Family Services.
Although sign-ups for the $9-per-hour positions started the first week of May, qualified youth who want to work can still apply, she said. Another youth orientation will be held May 18.
Family income plays a role in who is eligible, Reda said, adding the staff will help applicants determine if they can participate.
The wages come through a grant, so the program is a boon to employers as long as the money lasts, she said.
Because some counties don’t use all the federal grant money they are entitled, there are often extra funds available mid-year, she said.
“I’m confident there will still be money through Sept. 30,” she said, adding hopeful employers and employee can still sign up.
Last year, the SYEP had 40 teenagers and young adults find employment and Reda wants to do more.
“I’d like to double that to 80, but I can go to 120,” she said. “There’s too many employers and not enough kids. That’s the absolute opposite of surrounding counties.”
To take advantage of the soft skills training from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 19 and 20, potential employees need to sign up right away. Any applicants who are SYEP-eligible and complete the three hours of training will get a $25 gas card, be paid for their time and, to top it off, pizza will be served, Reda said.
“Last year, we weren’t able to pay the kids to come for this training,” she said, adding a state grant is covering that cost this year.
After interviewing employers last year, the department determined the main missing parts for the young employees were being able to communicate, being present and ready to work on time, understanding what it means to be a team player, being respectful and following technology etiquette, Reda said.
“It’s what our employers are looking for,” she said, adding her department tracked down the funding to make it happen.
Applicants for jobs are shepherded through the process at the office on Ravenwood Drive in Munson Township and come out in the end with a completed resume, looking forward to interviewing with businesses or organizations in the county, Reda said. Parents accompany those under the age of 18.
The department only learned it was receiving the grant in March, but they hit the ground running and had the first employer meeting April 8, said Michelle Piscopo, an employment services rep at GCJFS.
“We are holding another youth orientation meeting May 18 from 4-7 p.m. Also, we are actively recruiting kids all through August, and will make individual appointments for kids who miss the orientation,” said Sara Natera, program coordinator, who has been contacting school counselors and teachers throughout the county to identify youth who may qualify for the program.
Counting Auburn Career Center and Notre Dame Educational Center, she reaches out to nine school district with recruiting fliers and posters.
“Counselors are on the front line,” she said, adding she emphasizes to them they are actively recruiting through August.
“It’s the second year for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program,” Reda said, adding youth from families who have an income of 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible to receive wages from it.
Once the young employees are matched up with employers, all paperwork is taken care of by an outside contractor that handles payroll, W-2s, etc., she said.
For more information on the program call 440-285-1122 and leave a message or go to Summer Youth Employ-ment Program at www.geaugajfs.org.
