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February 6, 2009
NEWS FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Friends,
I often hear from Milwaukee businesses and employers that we have to do something to improve the skills of our workforce to remain competitive in the global economy. Milwaukee is known for its strong work ethic, but there are challenges down the road that we need to plan for today.
That’s why three years ago I started what was then the Summer Youth Jobs program. What was 200 summer jobs with the City for kids has grown in to a highly successful partnership of the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, local businesses, community and faith-based organizations and the City of Milwaukee.
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Mayor Barrett on-site with teens working in ‘green’ jobs.
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Today the program is called Earn & Learn, and while the name may be different the mission remains the same: to assist young people from Milwaukee make a successful transition from adolescence to productive adulthood by increasing work-readiness skills and providing work experience opportunities.
We all need to help build the skills of Milwaukee’s future workforce and provide hope in the lives of young adults and that’s why I’m asking area employers to join our Earn & Learn team.
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Mayor Barrett and last year’s City Interns in an open dialogue about city government.
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It’s a short-term experience that grooms our future workforce in a way that classroom work alone cannot. Our program provides employers with teens that are at least 17 years of age and have previous work experience.
Earn & Learn has set a goal of 1,000 private sector jobs this summer. It’s an ambitious goal; but, I’m encouraged by the many businesses that have already signed on to participate in this important initiative. Please log on to our website http://www.mkedcd.org/EarnLearn/JobOrder.asp to join the impressive list of businesses participating in this program. You can also contact William Malone, the City’s youth development coordinator at 286-5894.
New Earn & Learn Partners Pledge Jobs
I want to welcome two new partners, engineering firm GRAEF and law firm MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP as the newest additions to the Earn & Learn employer team. They join dozens of other firms in making a commitment to hire Milwaukee teens for jobs this summer. Jack Fallucca, CEO of Palermo’s Pizza, and John Kissinger, Greater Milwaukee Committee representative, are leading our recruitment of businesses for 2009 and will be speaking to business gatherings throughout the winter and spring.
Thank you for helping build the skills of Milwaukee’s future workforce!
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor
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