Businesses, students sought for summer work opportunity

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

A local summer job program is looking for local businesses and youth for a summer work opportunity in June and July 2018. 
The summer work program is part of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Services Program. 
The program pays for the youth salary and Worker’s Compensation during the seven-week training program, said Jacqueline Ortiz, a workforce development specialist with the WIOA program that operates out of the Workforce Solution of Central Texas office in Lampasas. 
Currently, Workforce Solutions is recruiting businesses that will provide work experience/limited internship training to youth between the ages of 16-24 this summer, to work 40 hours per week for seven weeks.  
“We need training sites with the desire to invest time in our youth customers by providing supervisors who will mentor and direct the youth while on the job, and in addition, provide a variety of work tasks that are meaningful, challenging, and interesting that will build the transferable skills of the youth.”
If you are the training site that can do all of the above, Ortiz said her office needs your help.
During prior summer work programs, youth have found employment at the Copperas Cove Library, the Copperas Cove Housing Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill, the Boys & Girls Club, Pet Supplies Plus, Subway, and even worked during the summer at Copperas Cove High School, Ortiz said. 
She also pointed to some of the success from last year’s program.
“Pet Supplies Plus even hired two of our youth – permanently!” Ortiz added. “When I enroll a qualified youth into the program, I try to find out what their future plans are and I try to match them with a work site that matches their interest.  I have 10-15 youth in Copperas Cove each summer. I set up interviews where the youth would like to work.” 
The manager/business owner is the one who makes the hiring decision, she added, and the manager can also fire them. 
“Our goal is to get them some work experience and hopefully full-time employment at the completion of the program,” said Ortiz.
As for the youth, those age 16-24 who are interested in applying should do so prior to the deadline of Friday, May 4. 
Openings are for 2018 graduating seniors, foster youth, high school dropouts. Youth must meet WIOA and income eligibility requirements to include being low income and/or a SNAP/TANF participant, as well as one of the following: be a teen parent (copy of child’s birth certificate required), have a disability such as ADD/ADHD/anxiety/depression, etc.; be a high school dropout up to age 24; or need additional assistance to find a job/enroll into college. 
Those applying for one of the summer jobs must provide a completed pre-application, copy of their birth certificate, copy of front and back of Social Security card, copy of front and back of photo identification; a copy of transcript, diploma, or GED upon graduation. Proof of income for the past six months may also be required. 
Youth training opportunities may include being a recreation aide, maintenance worker, office clerk, custodian, library aide, landscaping/grounds keeping and more.
The pay is $8 per hour. With a 40-hour week, Ortiz said youth have a potential earning of $2,240 during the program. 
The internship goes from June 11 – July 26, 2018.
More information for businesses and youth can be obtained by contacting Jacqueline Ortiz at (512) 556-4055 ext. 5501 or jaqueline0317@workforcelink.com or at workforcelink.com.