Nearly 160 area high school students are in the midst of learning about financial literacy, soft skills and job interview techniques through the TeenQuest pre-employment training program. While the current session will wrap up this month, there are several ways local professionals and employers can show their support for the program in the coming weeks.
For instance, you can:
- Serve as a volunteer interviewer.
To graduate from TeenQuest, participants must first complete mock interviews – an experience that puts students in front of actual employers and business professionals. Volunteers are provided with a sheet of sample questions and will be tasked with rating each interviewee based on things like the ability to communicate thoughts, eye contact and more. Upcoming interviews are scheduled for Nov. 29 and Dec. 14. If you are interested in volunteering, notify Betty Gilcreast at bettygilcreast@gmail.com or 810-397-8813.
- Hire an alum.
Not only do TeenQuest graduates understand the importance of communicating effectively, being on time and working as part of a team, they also offer local employers a major cost-savings opportunity. For instance, for-profit businesses are eligible to receive a 50-50 salary match for employees hired through the TeenQuest program for up to 90 days. Nonprofits and schools are eligible to have up to 100 percent of costs subsidized.
- Encourage a local teen to apply for the next session.
TeenQuest is open to all high school students in Genesee County – regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter, alternative or home school. If you know any students in grades 9-12, ages 14-19, tell them to mark their calendars: The next session will take place Jan. 9 to Feb. 9 at seven area locations. For more information, or to download an application, click here.
To learn more about TeenQuest, which is administered by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, visit www.flintandgenesee.org/teenquest or call (810) 600-1413.
