Mayor Mike Duggan continues to meet with Detroit businesses to secure 8,000 summer jobs for young people in the city.
"To get to 8,000 we really need every company in this town to take at least one young person," Duggan said Tuesday morning during a press conference at the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP. "It's a six week program that starts in early July and it's a chance to change these young folks lives."
Last year, 5,600 jobs were available, up from 2,500 in the first year of the program.
Today, Deputy U.S. Labor Secretary Chris Lu joined Duggan for meetings and the push to the finish line.
"When we talk about summer jobs we talk about a win for the young people, a win for for employers and a win for the community," Lu said.
The Obama administration is supporting the national effort to provide opportunities for youth with $20 million. Ten cities will each receive $2 million in grants. The announcement is expected soon, according to Lu. Detroit has made an application and Duggan said he's hopeful the city will receive one of the grants.
The jobs are varied, according to Duggan.
"You could be working with one of our professional sports teams on a summer internship," said Duggan. "You could be cutting grass in one of the parks. We have a number of crews who worked in the building trades to secure vacant school buildings in the city."
Opportunities also include working with the Detroit Police Department and Detroit Fire Department, according to Duggan.
Jackson Asset Management plans to offer at least 10 job opportunities, according to Anika Jackson. The company owns the Lafayette Towers apartments as well as five auto dealerships and other area businesses.
"It's so important that we prepare young people because so often we expect them at 21 to know how to work, right? No, somebody taught you," she told Action News. "You had an internship. And it's just important to give back."
Job opportunities are available for young people between the ages of 14 and 24. The jobs will pay between $8.14 and $9.50 an hour, depending on the age of the person doing the work.
It will cost businesses $1,700 per worker to participate in the six-week program.
The website for Grow Detroit's Young Talentallows businesses to sign up. It is also the place to apply for summer jobs provided through the program.
