Featured photo: SYI students sort business cards at Mott Community College Workforce Development during summer 2021
Whether you’re an employer seeking to fill summer job openings, or a TeenQuest graduate who would like to earn up to $12/hour during summer break-there’s great news for you! There’s still time to get your proposals and applications in for the Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) Job Fair. Employer proposals are due March 18, and student applications are due by March 31.The job fair w will be held April 30.
Every year, hundreds of Genesee County teens are hired because of this event. For many of the students, this is where they land their first job.
Teens who participate in SYI have completed 40 hours of hands-on training covering resume writing, interviewing and business etiquette. According to James Avery, director of talent development at Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, a division of Flint & Genesee Group, these teens understand the importance of communicating effectively, being on time and working as part of a team. These are the kinds of things that define a quality employee.
Participating for-profit businesses are also eligible to receive a 50-50 salary match for employees hired through Summer Youth Initiative. Nonprofits and schools are eligible to have up to 100% of costs subsidized.
Past SYI employers have included schools, summer day camps, urban gardening and community beautification projects, general office settings, retail and food service.
Businesses and nonprofits interested in participating in SYI can request a private meeting and review of their draft proposal by contacting Dawn Bye at 810-600-1413 or dbye@flintandgenesee.org. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. March 18. For more information, or to download the RFP application, click here.
Students interested in participating in the job fair should apply by March 31 at www.flintandgenesee.org/syi. The program is open to TeenQuest graduates who live in Genesee County and are ages 14-19 in grades 9-12.
To learn more about Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, visit flintandgenesee.org.
