Mobile Works Inc. has created Mobile Youth Works to oversee youth workforce development in Mobile County through the youth empowerment system.
Our Mission
To provide a comprehensive community-based system for youth which enhances academic achievement, develops leadership, civic responsibility and provides access to education and training to foster career success in the global economy of the future.
Overview
As part of the Mobile Works workforce investment program, youth participants completing work experience receive guidance, counseling and follow-up for at least one year. The follow-up is designed to ensure that the youth receive social, career and academic support to foster continued success.
Participating low-income youth, ages 14-21, are those facing challenges in continuing or completing educational programs and those with difficulties in securing or holding jobs. The programs provide remedial education, leadership skills, career guidance, occupational training and job placement assistance. Each provider works closely with local employers to assist the youth in becoming workforce-ready by offering opportunities such as internships and job-shadowing.
2005 Youth Funding
Mobile Works Inc has contracted with local organizations to invest over $1.8 million during its 2005-2006 fiscal year for several youth programs, designed to help Mobile youth become job-ready. Contracts totaling over $1,822,325 were awarded to the local groups as part of Mobile Works' continuing effort to increase the available labor pool of skilled jobseekers in the Mobile area.
Local providers for five different programs were recently awarded contracts, including Mobile County Public Schools; Goodwill Easter Seals; Dynamic Education Systems, Inc. (DESI); South Alabama Skills Training Consortia; and the Dearborn Street Community Center/Dearborn YMCA. Youth for all programs are selected based on risk factors, academic record, counselor recommendations, work experience, financial need and additional aspects affecting eligibility based on the particular program involved.
Summer Jobs for Youth 2005
Mobile Works awarded $449,197 to Summer Jobs for Youth 2005, a 12-month program delivered by the Mobile County Public School System that serves 275 low-income in-school at-risk youth aged 14-18, including graduating seniors, to improve their career and leadership potential to assist students in getting a job or furthering their education. The Summer Jobs for Youth 2005 program is having its week-long kickoff and orientation, beginning June 13, 2005, after which students will work at participating Mobile area businesses.
Goodwill Easter Seals
Mobile Works has contracted with Goodwill Easter Seals to deliver a $231,672 program that will benefit 36 out-of-school youth ages 16-21. Youth will receive training in life management, career planning, job readiness, interviewing skills and GED preparation. Goodwill Easter Seals will also provide job placement support and will require youth to participate in a community service project during the program. A parent involvement council will also be started to provide families with support and information on how they can contribute to the success of their children. All youth will be provided with follow-up to ensure their continued success.
Dynamic Education Systems Inc. (DESI)
Mobile Works is investing $532,079 in a program for 75 out-of-school youth ages 19-21. Youth will be provided the opportunity to identify their career interests and capabilities and learn how to mesh the two. Youth will also be provided with training in job readiness, computer skills and, if interested, will also receive specialized training in computer hardware and software support. Participants are also assisted with GED preparation and job placement services. Partnerships with area job training programs in welding and heavy equipment operation will allow youth interested in those careers the opportunity to attend the training programs through referral. DESI is committed to providing all youth with job development and placement.
South Alabama Skills Training Consortia
Mobile Works has contracted with the South Alabama Skills Training Consortia in the amount of $358,193 to fund a program serving 65 out-of-school youth ages 16-21. Youth will receive a variety of critical services including GED preparation, job readiness training, paid work experience and job placement. Whenever possible, younger youth who are eligible to return to school will be given every encouragement and support to do so. Youth not able to return to school will be matched with appropriate jobs for their skills and abilities with participating local businesses.
Dearborn Street Community Center/Dearborn YMCA
Mobile Works is investing $251,184 with the Dearborn Street Community Center/Dearborn YMCA to fund a contract to service 35 out-of-school youth ages 16-21. Youth will receive job training skills including social skills, decision making, employability, money management, transportation, health, family responsibility, basics of the law and telephone and other key communication skills. The youth will also receive basic educational assistance, GED preparation, leadership development, counseling and support services. A counselor will work with the participants to help them understand such critical workplace success issues as time management and anger control.
Students for all programs are selected based on academic record, counselor recommendations, work experience, financial need and additional factors affecting eligibility based on the particular program involved. Since its inception in 2000, Mobile Works has invested more than $7.2 million to fund job and educational programs for Mobile area youth out of the over $23.9 million given overall to support Mobile area job and educational programs.
For more information, call Mobile Youth Works at 251.461.4486
|