Mayor Barrett launches 2010 Earn & Learn Program

1,500 will participate in Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Initiative

On Wednesday, Mayor Tom Barrett kicked off the 5th annual Earn & Learn program in which Milwaukee young people participate in summer employment and educational activities. The event took place at the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board headquarters where the Mayor was joined by a number of students who will take part in the program.

This year approximately 1,500 students will participate in Earn & Learn including 160 who will work within city government departments. Other students will work with private sector companies such as Foley & Lardner and Palermo’s Pizza, and not-for-profit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee and the YMCA.

“Earn & Learn starts our young people on the road to work. By offering our teens a chance to earn and learn they’re moving toward a brighter future,” said Mayor Barrett. “This summer, they’re also building a stronger Milwaukee through the work they are doing.”

Students will gain experience in work situations through eight weeks of part-time employment. On Fridays during the program participants will take part in “education days” where they will learn about topics such as careers, finances, job readiness, and healthy living.

More than 3,000 students applied to participate in the Earn & Learn program this summer. Funding for the program comes from a variety of sources including federal government grants and private sector businesses.