DOWNTOWN : Businesses Urged to Join Jobs Program

Mayor Richard Riordan worked on a 7-Up factory assembly line. Los Angeles Councilman Mike Hernandez delivered newspapers. Linda Griego, business owner and chairwoman of RLA, wrapped bread in a bakery.

The listing of the first jobs of these prominent people can be found in a brochure from L.A. Youth At Work, a new program that encourages private businesses to hire youths for the summer. Program organizers, anticipating a cut next year in federal money that paid for 13,000 youth jobs in Los Angeles’ public sector last year, want to motivate businesses to counter the projected cut in jobs.

“What we really want are the businesses that don’t usually hire,” said Elizabeth Shoemaker, chairwoman of L.A. Youth At Work, which is funded by city and private money. “They’d be surprised to see what an extra pair of hands can do for them.”

To jump-start the program, eight Los Angeles businesses donated $10,000 each for program marketing and training. Billboards touting the program to potential employers went up recently and radio promotions are scheduled to start soon.

The program, initiated by the city’s Private Industry Council, has also pulled together existing programs that offer summer jobs, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, to create a central network of jobs.

“I believe [businesses] really do get low-cost labor that really will add to their bottom line,” Shoemaker said. “I do believe these kids bring something to the table.”

But the jobs aren’t just for the asking. Youths ages 16 to 21 who want to apply must attend a one-day, five-hour job skills course. The youths are given lessons on such topics as workplace ethics and interview skills. Organizers expect to train about 3,000 youths.

Employers who participate in the program will be offered potential employees from this pool.

“These kids have really taken their own initiative to find a job and get trained,” Shoemaker said. “I think it shows an extra level of motivation that is a screening process itself.”

Employers interested in interviewing a youth or posting a job may call 1 (800) FRST-JOB or (213) 744-2554.