More than 8,000 young Detroiters will be able find jobs with area businesses and organizations this summer.
The application process is now open for Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT). Youth looking for summer employment, as well as companies and organizations that want to provide summer jobs or be a sponsor, can go to www.GDYT.org to sign up.
The application process ends March 17.
“Over the past few years, the business, philanthropic and government communities have worked together to send an important message to our youth that we are committed to helping prepare them for their futures,” says Mayor Mike Duggan. “We are continuing that tradition this year and improving the program to provide many GDYT participants the opportunity for training beyond the six weeks of the program.”
Duggan encourages Detroit area companies, organizations and foundations to provide funding and work experiences for young people, ages 14-24.
The GDYT program was launched in 2015. Last year 8,127 youth were employed at 659 work sites through 230 employers for six weeks. Before the program, approximately 2,500 Detroit youth would have summer jobs each year through a series of smaller independent programs.
DTE Energy is one of the companies involved in the program.
“DTE Energy is committed to ensure our youth are prepared to build a future for themselves and Detroit by offering meaningful work experiences,” says Gerry Anderson, chairman and CEO, DTE Energy. “I encourage other business leaders to join us in supporting Grow Detroit’s Young Talent to improve the number and quality of summer jobs inside their businesses.”
GDYT is making a difference in the lives of Detroit’s young people. A multi-year analysis of the program by the University of Michigan’s Youth Policy Lab shows participants are:
- More likely to be enrolled in school
- Less likely to be chronically absent
- More likely to take the SAT
- More likely to have graduated from high school
This year GDYT has added a career specialist pilot program. Under the plan, 400 students across five schools will work with career specialist partners and school staff to get career-specific instruction year round. The goal is a 25 percent increase in the number of employer-paid jobs and internships at private sector companies. These training and internships opportunities will be aligned with several high-growth/high-demand employment sectors.
Other key components of the GDYT program include:
- Expanded vocational training
- Opportunities to earn industry recognized training certifications
- Career-pathway internships for second- and third-year GDYT youth ages 16 and older
Here’s how the process works.
First candidates apply at GDYT.org. Then they will be screened.
During May and June, employers will interview candidates at GDYT-sponsored career fairs. Youth applicants may also be selected based on both an employer’s request and a random selection process among the applicants.
Orientation sessions preparing successful GDYT applicants for the workplace will take place and include 12 hours of work readiness training at a worksite.
Applicants will be contacted in April and the employer match and interview process will start. From May through June there will be job readiness training and orientation sessions.
Work begins in early July.
“Summer jobs are an important step in building a young person’s career,” says Cindy Pasky, Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO and co-chair of the mayor’s Workforce Development Board. “That job means new skills, experiences, networks, and confidence. Young people will come away with a better sense of the opportunities open to them, and they’ll begin to work toward achieving them.”
Last year’s major GDYT sponsors included:
- Accenture LLP
- Bank of America Charitable Foundation
- Chemical Bank
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation
- Citizens Bank
- City of Detroit (CDBG)
- Community Foundation of SE Michigan
- Crain Communications
- Detroit Pistons
- Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority
- Dresner Foundation
- DTE Energy
- DTE Energy Foundation
- Employer Partners Matching Funds
- Federal Government (WIOA, DOL)
- Fifth Third Bank
- Ford Foundation
- Ford Fund
- GM Global Corporate Giving
- JPMorgan Chase
- John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
- Kresge Foundation
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Mrs. Marjorie S. Fisher Fund
- PNC Bank
- Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
- Skillman Foundation
- Strategic Staffing Solutions
- Suzanne Shank, Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., LLC
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan
- Wayne County
- WK Kellogg Foundation
— Photos of Grow Detroit’s Young Talent from GDYT
Enroll now! More than 8,000 summer jobs open for Detroit’s young people added by Marge Sorge on
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