Milwaukee Bucks join Earn & Learn team

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the Milwaukee Bucks announced today a new partnership to increase business participation in the Earn & Learn Summer Youth Jobs Program. The City of Milwaukee’s Earn & Learn program was launched by Mayor Tom Barrett with the support of the Common Council in 2005. The purpose is to connect teens with a first job experience and to develop Milwaukee’s future workforce.

The Milwaukee Bucks are joining the program as a partner in the private sector recruitment. Last summer the program offered 1,500 teens summer job experiences through city internships, private company positions and through jobs with 74 different community and faith-based organizations. More than 3,000 teens applied for the chance to work in a summer job. Mayor Barrett is looking to increase the number of participating businesses.

“I am thrilled to work with the Milwaukee Bucks to increase summer jobs for teens in Milwaukee,” said Mayor Barrett. “Together, we’re going to make it even more appealing for businesses to hire a teen this year and we will continue to make the case for companies to develop their next ‘team players’ in the workforce.”

To begin the recruitment drive, the Milwaukee Bucks are hosting an event Monday, October 6th at 5 p.m. prior to the Bucks’ pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Businesses that participated in Earn & Learn this past summer were invited to join Mayor Barrett for an appreciation pre-game event. Those business representatives will receive an honorary plaque and a set of game tickets. The event will also be used to recruit new business partners. Prospective businesses who accompany current Earn & Learn business partners will also receive a pair of tickets, as well as an opportunity attend the game that night.

“Summer jobs are an important part of the maturing process for teens,” Bucks vice president of business operations John Steinmiller said. “The Milwaukee Bucks organization is pleased to join with Mayor Barrett, the Common Council, and participating businesses and non-profit organizations in this important endeavor.”

Another Milwaukee Bucks business recruitment event will be held in March 2009. Businesses that participated the 2008 Earn & Learn season:
 

Lagina Plumbing	World Festivals, Inc. (Summerfest)	Palermo's Pizza
Johnson Controls	Foley & Lardner LLP	Interiorscapes
The Sigma Group	Miller Brewing Company	SEEK, Inc.
Quarles & Brady	Lehigh-Milwaukee	Hellermann-Tyton
M&I Bank	State Fair	Imperial Parking
Godfrey & Kahn	Roundy's (Pick 'n Save)	The Pfister Hotel
	Associated Springs

Businesses interested in hiring a summer youth should contact: William Malone, Earn & Learn Coordinator, 286-5894.