To keep young adults off the streets, DeKalb County’s government is offering them summer jobs that pay $9 an hour.
DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond launched the DeKalb Works program Wednesday, which will provide six-week internships to 330 people ages 14 to 24.
Jobs are available in manufacturing, telecommunications, construction, logistics and more.
“We should not allow people with nefarious ideals — people like gang-bangers and pimps — to be the only people recruiting our young folks for work,” said Thurmond, Georgia’s former labor commissioner, at a press conference.
DeKalb’s 30.7 percent unemployment rate among people between the ages of 16 and 24 is nearly double the national average of 15.8 percent, according to the county.
“Gangs are out on our streets, recruiting our young people at a very young people at a very young age,” said DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston. “We want to expose these youths to opportunities they may not otherwise see.”
The program will place applicants with both private and public sector employers from June 5 to July 14.
The program costs $250,000 from DeKalb funds and $450,000 in federal money.
More information: DeKalb Works
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