Friday, August 21, 2015
JPMorgan and Citi-Backed Program is Bridge Between Youth Unemployment, Growing Skills Gap
This year, the jobs program sought to provide youth with skills to prepare them for future tech careers and similar high-growth employment sectors. According to the "State of St. Louis STEM Workforce 2014," a report created by St. Louis Community College, more than 21,216 tech-related jobs were advertised in the St. Louis area, while only 2,044 people were searching for tech jobs. The health care field showed similar gaps, while 11,569 health care jobs were available, only 5,450 people were seeking these jobs.
This summer, STL Youth Jobs placed 60 young people at tech and health care companies. It also sponsored a workshop for youth interested in technology and entrepreneurial careers. STL Youth Jobs received a $100,000 donation from J.P. Morgan to assist with efforts to close the skills gap by introducing youth to the tech field and giving them valuable work experience.
STL Youth Jobs receives private and public funding. The program has financial support from J.P. Morgan, Emerson, Ascension Health, Monsanto, Citi Foundation, Clark-Fox Family Foundation, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the City of St. Louis and BMO Harris Bank as well as many other private donors....