Philadelphia, Junio 19th, 2015 – State Senator Vincent Hughes and Governor Tom Wolf’s Chief of Staff Katie McGinty today announced funding for a summer jobs initiative that will include $7.5 million in new funds to create over 3,700 new jobs statewide. The program will receive $3.5 million in federal funding and $4 million in TANF funds through local Workforce Investment Boards.
“Jobs that pay are important to all residents of the commonwealth, including our youth,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “I’m proud to support summer youth employment. A job teaches our youth responsibility, gives them something to do of value, earns them a paycheck and provides valuable experience that will serve them well as they enter adulthood and a full-time workforce.”
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The funding includes $3.5 million in federal funds through summer jobs programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. This pilot program, administered by WorkReady Philadelphia, will focus on low-income, high poverty neighborhoods and result in more than 1,400 new summer positions in Philadelphia.
“We must provide summer job opportunities for young people in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Hughes. “I am pleased that today we took another important step to make investments so that our youth have every opportunity to gain valuable experience in the workforce.”
The remainder of the funds will be distributed through local Workforce Investment Boards, creating over 2,100 new positions across the state, including 1,100 positions in Philadelphia, 200 in the Pittsburgh area, 230 in Northwest PA, and 100 in the Harrisburg area. There will also be positions created in various state agencies, including DCNR, PennDOT, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, the Philadelphia Youth Network and other partners of Philadelphia Works, we thank Governor Wolf and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for this generous support of summer youth employment opportunities,” said Mark Edwards, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works. “Our summer youth employment program, WorkReady Philadelphia, is an internationally recognized model for providing paid work experiences to young people. With this grant funding, we will be able to provide a significant number of new summer internships for city youth. Philadelphia Works is extremely grateful for this support.”
El senador Vincent Hughes representa al 7º distrito senatorial, que incluye partes de Filadelfia y el condado de Montgomery. También es el presidente demócrata del Comité de Asignaciones del Senado.
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