Tuesday marks first day of work for Louisville students participating in SummerWorks program

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Tuesday marked the first day of work for hundreds of Louisville kids trying to get a jump-start on their futures.

It's part of the city's SummerWorks program, through YouthBuild, which pays them to learn trade skills.

For over a decade, kids have been taking part in the program to find not just a job, but a better path in life.

SummerWorks helps Louisville's youth by connecting them with supportive networks and career opportunities. As part of the program, companies like UPS, GE, and Humana hire people between the ages of 16 and 21 as summer employees.

Young adults gathered Tuesday for the kick-off to this summer's program. Over the next six weeks, students will learn the basics of a trade, like hanging and finishing drywall and how to paint it.

"I feel like, that going through a trades program is important," Yanelee Morales said. "I feel like you need the basic information. In the future, I want to be a homebuyer."

Morales is headed to dental hygienist school at the University of Louisville this fall. She is participating in the SummerWorks program for the networking skills and to learn a skill to help pay for college.

"Yeah, definitely, it is an easy way to get money and basic knowledge," she said.

Participants are chosen by the instructors. Applicants from low-income homes or those who face other barriers to success are prioritized for job matches.

Morales was the first to be offered a slot in the class.

"Because I think whatever she does in life, she is going to be a success," the class instructor said.

Karami Taylor, who is enrolled at UofL this fall, and his brother were both chosen for this year's class.

"I'm definitely going to try out college," Taylor said. "I just graduated, I at least owe my parents that, I'm already enrolled at UofL."

Taylor is pretty honest with what he thinks of school, but is committed to working for himself sooner rather than later.

"Because I really don't like school. I'm good at school, but I don't like doing school, so maybe I'm a trade kinda guy. I wanted to dabble in this a little while before I commit to anything," he said. "It is good basic knowledge to have if you own your own home or flip a house, because, like I said, I want to work for myself."

When the six-week class is over, Taylor and his fellow students can join one of the finishing trades like the drywall or painters union, with most of the first year classes out of the way.

"The thing I like about it is there are really no negatives about it," said Taylor. "You get paid and its a summer job, if you want to look at it that way, and you are learning a life skill. There is really no bad that comes out of it."

SummerWorks was close to 150 employers that have 4,500 jobs. It's the place for a high school student or young adult looking for more than just a job.

Last year, 50 nonprofit and public sector work sites hired youth. There were more than 237 youth in sponsored jobs.

The program has helped place around 8,000 people in jobs.

For more information about the program, click here.

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