City Teens Get Summer Jobs

PHILADELPHIA, PA, July 12, 2007 - While many of us grown-ups were vacationing that 4th of July week, more than 1,100 city teens were starting their first week of summer employment, placed in jobs by GPUAC’s Workforce Development Department. 

City-wide, a total of 8,200 youth will be working this summer, in jobs identified by WorkReady Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and GPUAC.  That’s up from 7,500 slots last summer.

The result is 700 more summer jobs for teens in 2007, when compared to summer 2006.  That increase happened because GPUAC’s Workforce Development Committee worked with the Philadelphia Youth Network to bring attention to the projected decline in summer jobs, convening key stakeholders and raising public awareness about the impact of the lost jobs.  The result: $1,820,000 in new monies for summer youth employment in Philadelphia and 1,365 new jobs.   In addition, the private sector stepped up to the challenge as well.  Special thanks to:

• State Rep. Dwight Evans, who brought $820,000 in new state funds to provide jobs for city teens.  These funds will result in 622 additional youth being placed in jobs instead of on a waiting list. 

• City Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who secured $1,000,000 in city funds to provide jobs for teens, which will result in 743 additional jobs for city youth.

• The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Working Solutions initiative - led by Joseph Frick, chair of the Chamber and president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, and Mark Schweiker, president and CEO of the Chamber.  They identified 1,002 employer-paid summer internships for students 16 and older.

GPUAC has placed thousands of young people in summer jobs since 1969.  Today, we are largest direct service agency for the city’s 14 to 21 year olds, working under contract with the Philadelphia Youth Network.  During the months of July and August, we will place 1,125 youth in summer jobs.

Summer jobs are much more than a paycheck. They open career opportunities, and encourage teens to stay in school and continue their education.  At a time when youth violence is on the rise, jobs for teens become an increasingly important option for Philadelphia youth. 

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