Pr. George's Summer Jobs Program Could Double

The Prince George's County Council is looking to dramatically expand its summer youth jobs program. 

The expansion of the program would help fulfill a goal outlined by County Executive Rushern Baker at his state of the county address earlier this year. During that speech, he urged local business leaders to do their part by hiring more local youths for summer gigs. 

Prince George's County's approved budget for fiscal year 2014 increases funding for the county Summer Youth Enrichment Program by $900,000.

The program is currently open to county residents, eligible to work in the United States, between the ages of 15 and 19 years old.

In an interview with The Washington Examiner, Council Member Mel Franklin (D-District 9) said that the "goal is to partner with the private sector…You're able to hire more youth and spend less money."

Franklin, along with Council Member Derrick Leon Davis (D-District 6) are cosponsors of County Bill 32-2013, which would expand eligibility in the summer youth jobs program to include young adults up to the age of 21. The bill is still moving through committee at the moment.

The Prince George's County Summer Youth Enrichment Program gives participants six weeks experience in an entry level job, and is designed to prepare teenagers for the expectations of employment. 

According to The Gazette, 4,000 teens applied for the summer youth jobs program this year, but only 400 were accepted. 

"It would be great to employ 1,000 to 2,000 young people, and i think that's absolutely possible," Franklin told the Gazette. 

More information about the Prince George's County Summer Youth Enrichment Program can be found on the county website.  The application process for this year has already passed, however, with the registration deadline in mid-March.

Any changes to the jobs program would manifest themselves in the summer 2014 edition of the program.