District of Columbia: Summer youth employment reaches record high

Nearly 24,000 District youth had registered for the District's 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) by its May 1 deadline, the Fenty Administration announced. This is the highest level of enrollment in decades. This year's nine-week summer work experience and academic enrichment program begins June 18 and ends August 21. This year also marks a record number of job opportunities for program participants. Youth will have a variety of job options and will work in many District agencies, in the private sector, the federal government, including the White House, and in the Mayor's Conservation Corps.According to Joseph Walsh, Acting Director for the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES), the agency's Office of Youth Programs (OYP) will continue to assist District youth seeking work throughout the year. "We are excited about this year's summer program and also committed to providing all the necessary means of support to District youth interested in working - part-time or fulltime, in school or out of school," he said. "

Enhancements to this year's program include introducing a completely online system to ensure an easier application and certification process for the youth. Participants and their 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 Web site to learn more information about the program and other workforce development opportunities throughout the summer. The Office of Youth Programs offers several programs 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.