Mayor Fischer meeting some of the students in training at GE Appliances
On Monday, Mayor Greg Fischer joined other community and business leaders, including JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio, at GE Appliances to announce the formal launch of the SummerWorks 2018 season.
Last year, more than 160 companies and organizations hired SummerWorks youth. And already, momentum is building for this summer, with many employers hiring youth through the program for the first time, including Hilliard Lyons, Kelley Construction, Kentuckiana Comfort Center, iQor, Louisville Bats and Spectrum. Other companies, including Kentucky Kingdom and Thorntons, are increasing the number of young people they hire.
“We want Louisville’s business culture to be one where every company, large and small, hires or sponsors summer jobs for youth.”
Mayor Fischer also reminded those in attendance that SummerWorks jobs can lead to bigger opportunities afterwards. For instance, GE Appliances has transitioned 13 of its SummerWorks participants into full-time jobs there in the past two years.
Kenneth Albyati (at the podium above) was a SummerWorks participant who became a full-time employee at GE Appliances
“GE Appliances was one of the first Louisville companies to sign up for the SummerWorks program because we saw a critical need to build a pipeline of young talent who want a good career in manufacturing,” said GE Appliances Vice President of Manufacturing Bill Good. “Working with SummerWorks has been a great experience, and I look forward to seeing the program grow as other companies begin to participate."
Additional businesses where program participants have transitioned to full employment include the Hyatt Hotel, Humana, Kentucky Kingdom, Norton Healthcare and UPS.
“It has been an excellent way to recruit motivated, energetic youth who have brought fresh thinking to our manufacturing operations.”
Starting this year, SummerWorks will also play an increasing role in creating more young talent through its alignment with the new Academies of Louisville initiative being rolled out at JCPS high schools. The goal is for every student to have had a summer job experience by the time they graduate their Academy high school.
You can see media coverage of the event and photos below:
