2010 Hire-A-Youth Internship Program
 

The Hire-A-Youth program provides work-ready and enthusiastic 16 to 24 year olds who are eager to work.  The program benefits youth by providing them opportunities to explore careers and better understand the value of education and how it relates to work.  It is a great opportunity for employers to help build San Diego’s emerging workforce. Below are some frequently asked questions that may help in you in your decision to hire or sponsor an intern. 

1) What are the benefits of hiring an intern through the Hire-A-Youth program?
a) We will recruit, screen and prepare applicants before their job interview with your company.
b) Interns will be referred based on their career interests, so they will be eager to showcase their talents and learn about your business. 
c) We will provide ongoing job coaching to your intern(s) and support to you as needed during the duration of the internship(s). 
d) Companies that hire an intern through our program may be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.  We can assist you with completing the required forms.  Employers can download an Employer Guide with more information at  www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/WOTC_Basic_Facts.htm
e) Companies can be reimbursed for up to 50% of their intern’s wages for participating in the Workforce Partnership on-the-job training program. 

2) What are the benefits of internships to the community?
a) Internships engage youth in constructive activities after school and during the summer
b) Internships increase high school graduation rates
c) Internships increase enrollments in post secondary education
d) Internships reduce juvenile delinquency rates
e) Internships lower teen pregnancy rates 

3) Describe the youth participants.
a) Youth are between 16 to 24 years old and reside within San Diego County.  Youth are placed into summer jobs based on their career interest and will have received work readiness training from the San Diego Workforce Partnership prior to placement. 

4) What is the timeframe of the summer program? When can they work?
a) The summer program is from May 1 through September 30, 2010 and youth can work during that time frame. 

5) How many hours/weeks will the interns work?
a) The program allows each participant to work a maximum of 120 hours.  They can work more than 120 hours if the employer wishes to hire the youth at the end of the program.  The length of time is flexible to accommodate school, family, or other obligations the youth may have. 

6) What type of work readiness training will the interns receive?
a) All youth will be required to complete work readiness training, which include résumé preparation, interview skills, appropriate work-place attire and behavior, time-management and other similar soft-skills. 

7) How will the interns get to work?
a) As their introduction to the world of work, youth will use their own method of transportation, including public transit.  Youth needing additional assistance will be issued a transit pass. 

8) How can I participate in the Hire-A-Youth Program?
There are several ways for you to participate, which include:
a) Hire an intern directly on your payroll.
b) Hire an intern without putting the youth on your payroll.  Should you elect, youth will be paid by a third party contractor managed by SDWP, eliminating payroll processing for employers.
c) Make a donation to the Hire-A-Youth Program. We recognize that some individuals, companies, and organizations may want to contribute to this effort but may not be able to dedicate the time necessary to supervise an intern. Simply fill out the pledge form to make your tax deductible donation. Your donation will put youth in jobs where the employer cannot cover the cost of wages but wants to provide the work experience. 

9) What does sponsoring an intern involve?
The San Diego Workforce Partnership has created a program that is turn-key – practically everything will be done for you.
a) Sponsoring an intern means that you will pay for an intern to work over the summer at your organization or elsewhere, for a cost of $2,000.
b) All administrative payroll costs including state and federal taxes, workers compensation, etc. are covered with the $2,000.  For your convenience, youth can be paid by a third party contractor managed by SDWP, eliminating payroll processing  for employers. 
c) The San Diego Workforce Partnership can assist with developing a training plan that outlines the job duties and expectations for the youth worker.  
d) The San Diego Workforce Partnership provides staff support to recruit, screen, match and prepare each youth for employers to interview and select for hire. 
e) The San Diego Workforce Partnership will be available to provide youth with ongoing job coaching and support to employers as needed during the summer. 

10) What is expected of me as a supervisor?
a) We ask employers to provide a safe and structured worksite that provides youth with real job skills training.  We can assist with developing a training plan that outlines the job duties and expectations for the youth worker.  

11) Are the interns available for hire after their internships?
a) Yes, many of our youth are young adults for whom this is an excellent introduction to a career. Hiring the youth after their internship is not only possible, it’s strongly encouraged.

12) Who should I contact for more information on the Hire-A-Youth Program?
a) For more information on the Hire-A-Youth program contact Jared Aaker, Summer Youth Program Manager at 619-228-2993 or jareda@workforce.org.