Perry A. Farrell

Detroit Free Press

Need a job this summer? There will 8,000 for Detroit youth ages 14-24.

Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan kicked off this year’s Grow Detroit's Young Talent hiring campaign Wednesday morning at the DTE Energy Headquarters. The effort is aimed at helping the city's youth gain experience in the workforce.

Here’s how to apply: go to www.GDYT.org and apply. It’s a simple application process

Who’s eligible: A majority of the youth will come from Detroit schools. They will be selected based on criteria established at their school, including participation in work readiness training and performance on work readiness assessments. Other youth will come from the pool of applicants who apply through the online application. They will be screened, surveyed for their interests and aptitudes and matched with an employer.

Youth participants must be permanent residents of Detroit and be eligible to work in the United States.

What’s the timeline? The application process started today and ends on March 31. In April, applicants are contacted and the employer starts the interview process. In May and June the job readiness and training begins. In early July the work begins until Aug. 18.

What companies are involved? There’s a wide range, including: The Detroit Pistons, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, City of Detroit, DTE Energy; Ford Motor Co. Fund, JP Morgan Chase, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; MGM Grand, Talmer Bank, Ralph C. Wilson Jr., Foundation; Skillman Foundation, United States Department of Labor and WK Kellogg Foundation. A number of businessmen and sports celebrities, including former NFL wide receiver Herman Moore, attended today's event.

How can employers get involved?

Sponsor a full work experience through a $1,700 pledge to the program, which will manage student recruitment, payroll, work readiness training and match the person to the right opportunity.

Become an employer partner and offer a six-week work experience at your workplace through a 50-50 match of $850. The standard is a 20-hour work week.

Contribute to the program by directly hiring a Detroit youth. The program can help recruit and screen summer hires and offers free employment support services.

When do you get paid? Every other week. Employers will submit a time card according to the bi-weekly payroll schedule. Youth ages 14-17 will be paid $7.50 per hour and youth 18-years and older will be paid $8.90 per hour. Youth selected for Career Pathways internships will earn $9.50 per hour. Participants are allowed to work a total of 120 hours; 20 hours a week for six weeks.

What if I don’t have a car? Grow Detroit will offer free access to DDOT buses throughout the summer for employees.

How did the program do in 2016? A total of 600 work sites were involved and 230 employers. This year’s fund-raising goal is $10.8 million, up from $10.6 million last year.

Contact Perry A. Farrell: pfarrell@freepress.com