A Summer Employment Program for young people between 16 and 24 years of age kicks off this Saturday with an orientation  meeting in the River Center Exhibition Hall starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.

At a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden announced that 625 participants will be selected for the eight-week program that teaches job skills and provides opportunities to gain work experience in various industries.

“We believe strongly in the importance of the Summer Employment Program. And each year, we work to grow and improve this program to offer opportunities to more young people in East Baton Rouge Parish,” the Mayor said.

The program is funded by several grants, and its eligibility is based on 200 percent of the poverty level.

The Mayor said the program not only helps income-eligible families earn money for the summer, but also prepares young people for a permanent job and the responsibilities that come with it.

During Saturday’s orientation, eligible participants will receive work readiness and financial literacy information, and undergo pre-testing for jobs and drug screening.

Following the orientation, five mini-sessions will be held where counselors will interview and certify participants who meet all requirements for job placement.

The mini-sessions will be held:

• Monday, May 24 at the Martin Luther King Community Center.

• Tuesday, May 25 at the Baker Civic Center.

• Wednesday, May 26 at the North Baton Rouge Community Center.

• Thursday, May 27 at McKinley Alumni Center

• Friday, May 28 at the Delmont Service Center.

Work at the various job sites will begin on Monday, June 7, and end Friday, July 30.

The program’s worksites may be private, public, or non-profit, the Mayor said. In addition to work-readiness training, participants will also learn skills such as financial literacy and teamwork during the eight-week program.

The Mayor noted that the Summer Employment Program will be funded through combined resources from the Workforce Investment Act, Community Services Block Grants and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Holden said the program is a collaborative effort between the city-parish Workforce Investment Area office and the Division of Human Development and Services, with help from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Editor’s Note: Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden will be at the Orientation Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and will address the  participants.