Summer jobs programs in Missouri remain popular, Workforce director says

Some 388 young people have landed summer jobs through a combination of state and federal initiatives that have placed youths in a range of jobs from private firms to the state park system.

Pati Carter, executive director of the Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri, which serves a 13-county region including Pettis County, said the programs continue to be popular with workers and employers, with many returning for a second year.

Last year’s summer jobs program — funded with federal stimulus dollars — placed 470 area youth with employers.

This year the Missouri Summer Jobs program, Gov. Jay Nixon’s State Park Youth Corps, and an existing year-round youth employment program handled through Workforce Development that is geared more toward young people from low-income families, are funded with some remaining stimulus dollars and other sources. The overall state goal is to place some 4,000 young people with jobs before the two summer job programs wind down in September.

Carter said at least 70 participants ended up with permanent positions with their employers last year — another small piece of state and federal strategies to deal with continuing high unemployment.

“We do see more hiring. Layoffs are down and hiring is picking up and more employers are seeing opportunities for new hires,” Carter said.

Noting political critics who question the value of stimulus dollars, Carter said she believes the investments in Missouri have helped the state weather the recession and maintain an unemployment rate that has averaged one to two points below the national rate.

“The stimulus dollars gave us an opportunity to provide more youth with work experience, money for their families, and an opportunity to learn about career areas — an opportunity that over 7,000 youth would not have had without those dollars,” Carter said.

Carter credited Nixon and state Workforce Development Director Julie Gibson with taking an active role in securing funding and promoting the youth programs, which are designed to place youths in career fields they are interested in.

Among the nearly 60 public and private employers that are working with the program is Sedalia-based ProEnergy Services.

Brian Treat, electrical services manager for the company, said the company has been “proactive in utilizing programs that are out there,” and he was pleased with this year’s intern, 21-year-old electrical engineering student Ian Kreher, of Warrensburg.

“I would absolutely use this program any day of the week, especially if they provide students like him,” Treat said. “Ian was one of the brightest interns ever been around. He was outstanding. I would take 50 of him If I could,” Treat said.

He said Kreher became “an integral part of the team” during his internship, which ended earlier this month as Kreher headed back for his third year at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla — where he is getting ready for linebacker duties as he and his teammates get ready for the start of their football season.

Treat said he doesn’t believe in “having an intern file papers,” and made it a point to push Kreher and allow him to engage in as much practical experience as possible. Kreher made such an impression on the company that plans are already being made for him to return next summer.

Kreher said he recognizes the value of the experience he earned through working with the company and intends to take them up on the offer for next summer.

“It was a huge bonus to learn real world stuff that I know I wont get in college and to be able to apply stuff I am learning in school to the real world.” Kreher said. “I enjoyed going to work every day. I have heard of internships that were horrible. They were trying to help me as much as I was trying to help them,” Kreher said.

Carter said her office still has employment opportunities available through the state park program and the summer job program that will run through Sept. 30. They offer $7.25-an-hour jobs for up to 240 hours. She said the third program, which operates year round, will continue to place youths 14 - 24 with interested companies.

For more information call the Missouri Career Center at 888-448-3722.