Dept. Of Labor Now Accepting Applications For Summer Employment; 570 Slots Available

The Department of Labor on Tuesday announced that it has begun accepting and processing summer youth employment applications for the 2018 Summer Youth Work Experience and Training Program.

All in and out of school youth between the ages of 14 to 25 are invited to register for the approximate 570 available slots, D.O.L. said. Fourteen and 15-year-olds are eligible for the Career Exploration program, according to the department.

Applications are available from the department’s website here, and can be submitted electronically through [email protected] for the St. Thomas/St. John district, and [email protected] for St. Croix district applicants. The applications can also be picked up at any of D.O.L. office locations and the St. John Administrator’s Office.

A summer employment fact sheet, providing additional information for participants and parents, is available here. This summer priority will be given to individuals who submit complete applications accompanied with supporting documents, and:

• a) have not previously participated in a work experience;
• b) are high school juniors and seniors;
• c) are out-of-school/unemployed, and dislocated youth.

Youth under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a parent/guardian to sign authorization for participation in the program, the department said. All selected applicants must provide a) Proof of their educational and legal residency status, b) Proof of enrollment in college, high school; c) Evidence of a Social Security card, d) Photo ID, e) Copy of a resume if available, and f) Proof of income.

While applications continue to be received throughout the year for other programs and activities, youth are strongly encouraged to submit their applications for summer experiences by May 4, 2018.

For questions about the program, email D.O.L. at [email protected] or contact Shenika Sebastien on St. Thomas at (340) 776-3700 ext. 2080. St. Croix applicants should contact Amelia Christian at (340) 773-1994 x 2140.

In a separate release, D.O.L. said it’s in search of employers and organizations to provide work experience and career exploration activities for youth.

The department is inviting employers, nonprofits, and training service providers to participate in this year’s Summer Youth Work Experience and Training Program.

Here’s what the department is looking for:

• Employers and agencies who are interested in providing a 5-week work experience and job training activities for youth ages 16-25 who have no or limited work experience, and will promote career pathway entry through participation in D.O.L.’s summer youth work experience program.
• Service providers and organizations interested in providing life skills and career exploration activities for youths ages 14-15. (Programs should run for no more than four weeks; mini-grants of up to $4,800 are available for qualified providers.)

Interested employers and organizations can obtain a request for Summer Youth Work Experience Program participation and Summer Youth Workshop application by contacting D.O.L. offices on St. Thomas at 340-776-3700 x 2080, or 340-773-1994 x 2140 on St. Croix, or by visiting www.vidol.gov (under the forms tab). Applications can also be picked up at D.O.L.’s St. Thomas and St. Croix locations. Deadline to apply is May 4, 2018.