Atlanta mayor sets goal of offering summer jobs to 1,000 young people

Bottoms asks businesses to help hire summer interns
Mayor Bottoms called on local businesses to help employ young people in Atlanta this summer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Mayor Bottoms called on local businesses to help employ young people in Atlanta this summer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The city of Atlanta hopes to offer summer jobs to at least 1,000 young people this year through partnerships with local companies and its own employment programs, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Wednesday.

Bottoms announced the details of the “Hire Atlanta Youth” program during her 2021 State of the City address Wednesday.

The program is aimed at offering training, internships and jobs to Atlanta residents ages 14 to 24.

“Before the pandemic, we were able to employ more than 650 young people in summer jobs with the city of Atlanta. We’ve not been able to offer nearly that number of opportunities this year,“ Bottoms said during her address. “That is why we are calling on companies and businesses big and small to help us reach our goal of offering summer employment to at least 1,000 young people across our city.”

The program will include virtual and in-person jobs. The city-run “One Atlanta Virtual Summer Residency” will include classes, lecture series and leadership development training to youth between 14 and 18 years old.

The city is also offering paid internships with various public departments for 18- to 24-year-olds.

Young people can visit www.hireatlantayouth.com for more information and to register to be matched with job opportunities. Businesses can also sign up to take on interns for this summer.