L.A. Area Chamber, Mayor Villaraigosa Convene Businesses to Help Put More than 16,500 Youth to Work through HIRE LA's Youth

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa convened business leaders today to recognize employers that have led the way in hiring local youth, as well encourage new employers to especially consider youth for seasonal hiring needs.

The event was held as part of the Mayor’s HIRE LA’s Youth Campaign, which seeks to put more than 16,500 youth to work during the 2009-10 term.  As a lead organizer in the campaign, the Chamber has committed to creating 2,500 of those jobs by connecting youth to employers such as Vons, HMS Host, Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente and other L.A. Area Chamber members.

"The L.A. Area Chamber is proud to be a partner in HIRE LA's Youth," said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  "We thank the many businesses who continue to work with the Chamber to provide youth jobs, particularly during these very difficult economic times for employers.”

Last year, the L.A. Area Chamber helped put more than 1,500 local youth to work in private-sector jobs and continues to work with campaign partners including the Mayor, the City of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board (WIB), the Los Angeles Community Development Department (CDD) and other community organizations.  Receiving an infusion of $20.3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this year’s overall program aims to place more youth in private sector and public sector, and community jobs and internships than ever before.

As a key partner in the HIRE LA’s Youth Campaign and a trustee of the L.A. region, the L.A. Area Chamber has embarked on a focused and robust effort to ensure a future workforce capable of meeting the needs of the 21st century global economy.  Through its L.A. Youth at Work initiative, the L.A. Area Chamber offers Work Readiness Certification, a key component of the HIRE LA’s Youth campaign providing young job seekers with a portable credential certifying that they possess the basic skills necessary to obtain and retain employment.  The L.A. Area Chamber also hosts Jobs Skills Workshops to teach youth about interviewing techniques, resume writing and workplace ethics.  More information on the Chamber’s Workforce Development initiatives is available at: www.lachamber.com/workforce.

HIRE LA’s Youth is made possible in part through the support of sponsors including: Vons; Majestic Realty Co.; Microsoft; and Ralphs.  The newest job pledges for youth have come from: Vons, Sempra, Kaiser Permanente, Warehouse Shoe Sale and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.