Kick-Off Event for the 2006 Passport-to-Work Summer Youth Employment Program CANCELLED - Releases

(Washington, DC) Today’s kick-off celebration for the District’s Passport-to-Work Summer Youth Employment Program has been cancelled. However, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) is busy assisting young workers and employers with their first day of summer employment.

“Today over 11,000 young people will begin their summer work experience at hundreds of worksites throughout the city,” said Gregg Irish, director of the Department of Employment Services. “Although we cancelled our kick-off celebration due to flooding in many locations throughout the city, we are certain that these young workers will have a successful first day at work.”

Last year, the Department of Employment Services exceeded it goal of placing 10,000 youth into jobs. With the help of the private sector along with federal and District government agencies, 10,230 city youth participated in work readiness programs and jobs through the District’s 2005 summer program. This year, 12,944 youth between the ages of 14 and 21 have applied for the Passport-to-Work Summer Youth Employment Program. With the normal 20 percent rate of attrition, the department expects to place every youth who is interested in working in a job.

The six-week program will operate from June 26 through August 4. Most high school seniors and college students have been referred to private, federal and non-profit organizations, and many younger workers are participating in skills development and educational enrichment programs.