Menu

Vermont Department of Labor Partners with the City of Burlington to Help Youth Find Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2017
Contact:  Katie Vane, Mayor’s Office, 802.734.0617
                  Michael Harrington, Vermont Department of Labor, 802.828.4301

 

Vermont Department of Labor Partners with the City of Burlington to Help Youth Find Jobs
Second Annual Jobs for Youth Fair Includes 66 Participating Employers; 17 Training Providers Offering Tailored Workshops for Youth Ages 16-24

 

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today joined Vermont Department of Labor Deputy Commissioner Michael Harrington, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, Spectrum Youth and Family Services Multicultural Youth Program Coordinator Michael Hill, Jr., Westport Hospitality Human Resources Director Amy Shea and Westport Hospitality COO Joe Carton, to encourage participation in the second annual Jobs for Youth Fair to be held on Thursday, May 11 in the Burlington Town Center. This job fair is part of the ‘Jobs for Youth Initiative’ to assist youth, ages 16 to 24, who face barriers securing employment and/or discovering a career path. The job fair is open to all.

The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) will provide tailored workshops from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to assist youth in the completion of applications, mock interviewing, job search skills and exploring career pathways. Employers and training providers will participate from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering participants an opportunity to explore summer jobs, internships, careers, and apprenticeships that do not require a college degree.

Governor Phil Scott expressed his support for the Jobs for Youth Fair in a statement:

“This program creates greater opportunity for Vermont’s youth who may otherwise not have access to these job opportunities, which is incredibly valuable for these kids, their employers and the state. The Jobs for Youth Fair is an important program considering we’re losing six people from our workforce every day. One of the best ways to help our young people and our state succeed is by connecting motivated young Vermonters with Vermont employers. I look forward to seeing the connections and partnerships that grow from this event.”

“The City of Burlington is proud to support the second annual Jobs for Youth Fair,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Since we accepted President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Challenge in 2016, we have been working to ensure that all youth in our community have the opportunity to find employment and continue their education. The Jobs for Youth Fair supports these efforts by bringing together an impressive list of employers and professionals to assist our youth in achieving their full potential.”  

“We are proud to be able to offer this opportunity again for the youth of Vermont,” said Department of Labor Deputy Commissioner Michael Harrington. “Our number one priority at the Department of Labor remains making sure that job seekers can obtain meaningful employment, and that Vermont businesses find the skilled workers they need to be successful. This can only be done if we engage our youth and provide them with opportunities to grow.”

“The Jobs for Youth Fair offers youth with barriers to employment a chance to move forward,” said Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George. “Youth may experience these barriers for a variety of reasons, including having a case in the criminal justice system. Thanks to the Jobs for Youth Fair, these individuals now have an opportunity to make a positive change in their lives by seeking and securing valuable job experience.”

"This Job Fair is an opportunity to really support the youth and young adults who want to work and become independent,” said Spectrum Coordinator of Multicultural Youth Program Michael Hill, Jr. “Spectrum Youth and Family Services is an organization that believes in empowering and supporting youth and young adults in finding their own paths to success. It is only natural for us to be collaborating and assisting with this Job Fair."

The Jobs for Youth Fair was launched in 2016 by then-Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan to provide youth who face barriers to their employment with opportunities for job application training and summer job placement. The 2016 Job Fair at the King Street Center included 18 employers, 12 community partners and training providers, and over 100 youth attendees. This year, 66 employers will be participating, along with 17 community partners training providers (please see attached list of employers).

This is the second year the City of Burlington has participated in the event, offering youth opportunities for summer jobs and internships through the Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), Parks, Recreation & Waterfront, and Human Resources Departments. In 2016, the City of Burlington established its My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to address opportunity gaps faced by youth in the community, particularly youth of color. The Jobs for Youth Fair aligns with the City’s goal of providing youth of color greater access to opportunities for employment, education, and community leadership.

The Job Fair is open to all, and youth age 16-24 are particularly encouraged to attend on May 11, especially those facing barriers to employment. Barriers may include:

  • Incomplete High School

  • Individual with a diploma who is Basic Skills deficient or an English Language Learner (ELL)

  • Criminal record

  • Homeless, runaway, foster child

  • Pregnant or parenting

  • Disability

  • Needs Additional Assistance to enter/complete an educational program or secure or hold employment

In addition to Thursday’s Jobs for Youth Fair, the Vermont Department of Labor Workforce Development Division will present information about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth program.  This program provides one-on-one mentoring services for youth to help match them with employment and/or training opportunities and help prepare youth to enter the workforce. Eligible participants can be assigned a WIOA case manager who can assist in identifying an individual’s strengths and interests, and connect them with an appropriate employer and/or training provider.

“Employers can easily get involved and support the one-on-one mentoring services by offering job shadow opportunities and internships that provide a hands-on work and training experience,” said Westport Hospitality Human Resources Director Amy Shea. “These types of initiatives can provide a valuable experience in getting youth motivated in a new career."

This job fair is hosted by the Vermont Department of Labor in partnership with the City of Burlington's Community and Economic Development Office, Parks, Recreation & Waterfront, and My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.

 

# # #

Press Release Date: 
05/09/2017
City Department: 
Mayor's Office