Youth get work experience through "Earn and Learn"

Students participate in Milwaukee Earn and Learn program

Students participate in Milwaukee Earn and Learn program

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- This summer, close to 2,000 young adults are getting put to work in the city of Milwaukee, through the “Earn and Learn” program. The program is designed to connect young people with job experiences.

Students have the opportunity to work at places like Milwaukee Public Works, the Blood Center of Wisconsin, and the United Community Center.   They get the chance to work for hands-on work experience, and are able to interact with people in that field, plus, they get a paycheck.

On Tuesday, August 6th Mayor Tom Barrett visited a few of the program's participants while they were hard at work.

“For a lot of these young people, this is their first job. What’s good for us, it gives them some hope and opportunity and exposes them to the real world, which I think is important particularity for kids who come from neighborhoods where there are not a lot of jobs,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

The Earn & Learn program has connected 19,000 young people with work experiences since the program started in 2008.