Mayor Eric Garcetti on Monday joined the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Delta Airlines and L.A. business leaders to celebrate the 2016 HIRE LA’s Youth program goal to employ 15,000 young people.

(photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Office)
Mayor Eric Garcetti announces that the city hit its goal 15,000 youth jobs, set last year.

The mayor also announced a new goal to hire 20,000 young people for year-round employment by 2020 – more than quadruple the number of youth jobs that were coordinated by city hall when he entered office. Since 2013, the HIRE L.A.’s Youth program has placed more than 43,000 young people in summer jobs.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to earn a paycheck and gain skills that will put them on a path to prosperity,” Garcetti said. “I will keep raising the bar and setting our sights higher – because HIRE LA’s Youth is an investment that pays off in their lives today, and holds the promise of a brighter future for our city and the entire region.”

This week also marks the launch of the Los Angeles Area Chamber’s L.A. Talent Challenge. The chamber will place work-ready, certified high school or college students in industries they feel passionate about. In turn, companies have the opportunity to develop their future workforce, strengthen Los Angeles’ future talent and bolster the city’s economy.

“I am excited to take part in the Chamber’s L.A. Talent Challenge to find 500 more companies to sponsor or hire one or more student interns this summer,” said Steve Nissen, chair of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce board.

HIRE LA’s Youth provides job opportunities for Angelenos between the ages of 14 and 24, placing them in industries including transportation, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, government and financial services.

Along with work experience, the program offers training opportunities, on-the-job mentoring, financial literacy workshops and other resources.

“Investing in our youth today will reap untold dividends in the future,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and board chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas. “HIRE LA’s Youth provides some of our most vulnerable and at-risk youth with the opportunity to earn their first paycheck, as well as receiving valuable training and experience that can serve as building blocks to success.”

The program provides career exploration opportunities to low-income youth. Specific opportunities are targeted to foster youth, young people from families receiving CalWORKs, as well as youth on probation, youth receiving General Relief and homeless youth.

To apply and for more information, visit hirelayouth.com or call (213)744-7333.