(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Department of Employment Services Acting Director Joseph P. Walsh today kicked off early registration for the 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and announced the Summer Youth Job Expo, which will be held March 25-26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 25-26, 2009 from 10 am to 6 pm. Thousands of youth are expected to participate in the District’s premier summer youth work experience, which is open to young adults between the ages of 14 to 21 and runs from June 18, 2009 to August 21, 2009.
The registration process for this year’s SYEP has greatly improved from previous years. For the first time, registration will be entirely online and enable youth to benefit from early registration. While registration in this year’s program will be on-going, young adults who register early by May 1 will be able to choose their top 5 preferred summer jobs. Young job-seekers are required to sign up online at summerjobs.dc.gov.
“We recognize how important it is for District youth to partake in a meaningful work experience,” said Mayor Fenty. “We encourage all youth to take full advantage of early registration and utilize the new online system to secure a summer job.”
Youth participants may also register in person at the job expo. Youth will have the opportunity to meet and interview with approximately 200 employers, choose their preferred summer job, and complete an online career survey that will suggest potential jobs matching their interests.
“It is important that we offer our youth the opportunity to work and gain valuable job-readiness skills so that they can succeed in life”, said Acting Director Joseph Walsh. “This program demonstrates our commitment to providing our young people with the career opportunities to excel in the 21st century workforce.”
SYEP provides an array of summer jobs in areas that include:
- arts, design and media
- building and grounds maintenance
- community and social services
- construction trades
- education, training and library science
- health care support
- hospitality and tourism
- office and administration support
- sports and physical education
SYEP participants are paid the federal minimum wage. For additional information on the 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program or the Summer Youth Job Expo, please visit the summer job website or call the DOES Office of Youth Programs at (202) 698-5832.