Greenville Youth at Work Program Begins

Some of Greenville's youth will soon have a completed resume, classroom training, career guidance, and time spent on the job thanks to the Greenville Youth at Work Summer Program that began Wednesday.

The program provides youth ages 16-24 with training and employment to increase their marketability in the workforce. It started with work readiness training at the Pitt Community College Greenville Center. Participants start their jobs on June 20.

"The City of Greenville is excited to continue and expand its partnership with the WIOA Youth at Work Program," City of Greenville Director of Human Resources Leah Futrell said. "Through this partnership, the City will be able to expose 25 youth to various careers in local government. In turn, the youth will gain valuable work experience and enhance their job readiness skills. Because the services offered by the City are so varied, the youth will have an opportunity to experience first-hand the impact such services have on our community while being mentored by talented City employees. The Greenville Youth at Work program is a win-win for all involved and the City is proud to be a part of such an outstanding endeavor that, hopefully, other employers will embrace and model."

Funding for 20 of the 25 positions is shared by the City of Greenville and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for individuals who reside within the Greenville city limits. The additional five participants are funded fully by the WIOA program. The two entities partner with Pitt Community College to provide the workforce readiness training.

The seven-week program offers employment in areas such as office assistants, camp counselors, park assistants, Police Athletic League assistants, laborers, and other assistant-level positions.

Youth ages 16-21 will receive a wage of $7.25 hourly, while older youth will be compensated at $8.50 per hour. Participants will be assigned a mentor based on their career goals and interests. Mentors are chosen from various community sources and will make face-to-face contact with youth at least three times during the course of the program.