Registration Set to Begin for YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program
Mayor Martin O'Malley's YouthWorks Summer Jobs program seeks to employ more than 5,000 youth in 2006.

BALTIMORE - The 2006 YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program, an annual workforce development program endorsed by Baltimore City’s Mayor Martin O’ Malley, will begin its application process beginning February 27, 2006 through April 28, 2006. Applications for the YouthWorks summer jobs program will be available at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development One-Stop Career Centers, area recreation centers, and most Baltimore City public high and middle schools.

Approximately 5,500 youth ages 14-21 will participate in a five to six – week summer employment experience. Students will be exposed to a variety of public and private sector settings, including working at city agencies and local nonprofit organizations on special community-based projects. In addition, students will work at local hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, health institutions, day care centers, summer camps, retail stores and other Baltimore City companies.

YouthWorks is an opportunity for young people to learn about careers in the six targeted high-growth industries, identified by the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board (BWIB): health care, bioscience, business services, computer-internet-software services, construction, and hospitality/tourism.

Baltimore City youth participating in the program will see an increase in the minimum wage. According to the Maryland Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation, beginning February 16, 2006, the minimum wage will increase to $6.15 per hour.

“The YouthWorks summer jobs program underscores the value of providing solid learn and earn experience for our greatest asset-- our youth. We continue to train and educate our youth about careers in the high-growth industries with the goal of preparing them for leadership development, technological training, and global competition,” said Alice Cole, career development project services director and manager of the YouthWorks summer jobs program.

The application deadline is April 28, 2006 and can be picked up at the following recreation centers:

Goodnow PAL Center Monday through Friday 2:00 – 6:30pm
5311 Goodnow Rd
Baltimore, MD 21206
(410) 485-3729

Patterson Park Recreation Center Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 2:00 – 6:30pm 
2601 East Baltimore St Tuesday 2:00 – 5:30pm
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 396-9156

C.C. Jackson Recreation Center Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 2:00 – 6:30pm
4910 Park Heights Ave Tuesday 2:00 – 5:30pm
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 396-0949 

Robert C. Marshall PAL Center Monday through Friday 2:00 – 6:30pm
1201 Pennsylvania Ave
Baltimore, MD 21217
(410) 396-3670

South Baltimore Recreation Center Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 2:00 – 6:30pm
1045 Light St Tuesday 2:00 – 5:30pm
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 727-4526

For more information on how to register for YouthWorks summer jobs program or how to hire Baltimore City youth, please log onto http://www.oedworks.com or call 410-396-JOBS (5627).