Pima Youth Summer Work: Earn $12 Per Hour, High School Credits

PIMA COUNTY, AZ — The deadline to apply for Pima County's 2020 Summer Youth Programs is fast approaching. Young people aiming to get school credits or work experience are encouraged to sign up for a program by the deadline of March 6 at 5 p.m.

Pima County's Community Services, Employment and Training (CSET) is working with ARIZONA@WORK with other local agencies to offer job placement for the county's youth, age 14 to 21. Applicants must meet the age requirements as of May 28, 2020.

Sessions run about six weeks and generally take 20 to 40 hours per week.

Participants will earn $12 per hour, which is Arizona's minimum wage. Alongside the cash, workers will earn elective high school credit in math, reading and writing.

The program is competitive. Program manager Daphanie Conner said positions are limited and there were around 4,000 applicants last year, according to a Pima County release. Not all applicants will necessarily be qualified for the program they're applying to.

CSET staff estimate they'll be able to accommodate between 1,100 and 1,300 applicants in positions for the City of Tucson, the University of Arizona and dozens of public, private and non-profit local firms, the release says. The positions range from outdoor labor to retail and clerical.

"You really have to put your best foot forward," Conner said in the release. "Successful candidates will be selected based on their applications, grades, assessment scores, and work interests as well as available funding, applicant program selections, geographic area, and employer/worksite requirements."

Click to apply for the Pima County Summer Youth Programs.

Youth attending school must send a report card or unofficial transcript by March 13. Those out of school must call 520-724-9639 to schedule an assessment test to be completed by March 13.

Participants also must attend a one-day workshop going over employment skills to learn about good work habits and expectations.

For more information, call the Pima County Summer Youth Programs Hotline at 520-724-9639.

See the Pima County release here.