All 22,000 Youth Registered for the 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program Assigned Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 22,076 District youth that have registered for the District’s 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) have been assigned jobs one month before the program is to begin, the Fenty Administration announced today. District youth participating in the nine-week summer work experience and academic enrichment program, which runs June 18 through August 21, 2009, will work in District agencies, including the Mayor’s Conservation Corps;  the federal government, including the White House; and numerous companies in the private sector.

“I’m delighted at the success we have had with placing our youth in productive work environments for the summer,” said Mayor Adrian Fenty.  “This is what happens when the private sector and the public sector pool their resources together for one common cause. Our youth will have an opportunity to learn and earn this summer, and businesses will have an eager and capable workforce.”  

Currently, more than 1,500 private sector companies, including companies such as the Washington Hospital Center, Bank of America, American University, the Washington Times, and PGN Architectures, have hired District youth through the 2009 SYEP. Youth workers will get an opportunity to learn about professional trades such as education administration, journalism, architecture, and hospitality. A critical objective of the 2009 SYEP is pairing youth with meaningful jobs to help them make intelligent decisions about their career choices.

SYEP Job breakdown:
•    Community Based Organizations: 4,957
•    Charter Schools: 1,316
•    Private Sector: 1,186
•    Federal Government: 782
•    Mayor's Conservation Corps: 4,437
•    Other DC Agencies: 3,790
•    DCPS Career Pathways: 3,370
•    DC Dept of Parks and Recreation: 1,426
•    DDOE Green Summer: 812

“Connecting our youth to work experiences that expose them to the various industries and elevate their levels of thinking about the career path best suited for them is at the core of this program,” said Joseph Walsh, Director for the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES).  “We are very excited about this level of enthusiasm, not only by the youth, but also by the employers participating in this year’s program.”

The 2009 SYEP made substantial changes to its registration efforts to ensure a smoother experience for District youth. Enhancements included introducing a completely online system to ensure an easier application and certification process for the youth. Youth participants and their individual work sites will utilize an electronic payroll system that will allow time and attendance to be entered and verified daily.  Youth will continue to use the summer jobs website to learn more information about the program and other workforce development opportunities throughout the summer.

Youth from across the District are participating in the 2009 SYEP.  Participation breaks down by Ward as follows:
•    Ward 1: 1,428
•    Ward 2: 518
•    Ward 3: 129
•    Ward 4: 2,579
•    Ward 5: 3,676
•    Ward 6: 1,889
•    Ward 7: 5,592
•    Ward 8: 5,830
•    Other*: 447
*(Youth whose address is still being certified or youth who are wards of the District, but live elsewhere)

The Office of Youth Programs offers several programs throughout the year to help District youth, ages 14 -24, develop the skills and attitudes needed to successfully compete in today’s competitive labor market. SYEP, one of Mayor Fenty’s premier initiatives, provides city youth, ages 14 -21, career exposure and academic enrichment opportunities to allow them to consistently develop the skills and attitudes necessary to succeed in the workplace.

For additional information on the SYEP ‘09, please visit www.summerjobs.dc.gov.
or contact the DOES Office of Youth Programs at 202.698.5832.