Summer Work Employment Program (SWEP) Provides Jobs for Hundreds of Youths

The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) was able to offer 475 young people jobs this summer with $1.3 million in federal stimulus money. The program was also a shot in the arm for local businesses ranging from health care facilities to restaurants and hotels.

“It’s a wonderful program,” said Bud Luppino, owner of Bud’s Tire and Wheels in Riverside and Moreno Valley, who used five young people in his businesses this summer. “I hope it never ends. You’d have to be crazy not to take advantage of it.”

His business regularly employs students from local high schools enrolled in Regional Occupational Programs. When RCOE advertised the Summer Work Employment Program (SWEP) through the local Chamber of Commerce, he jumped at the chance.

Having five extra employees helped him meet the peak demands of owners who each summer are in a hurry to prepare their vehicles for vacation trips. And with the downturn in the economy, business at his shops is booming because more people are fixing and keeping cars longer instead of buying new cars.

“It has made us more efficient,” Luppino said. “With the extra employees, we were able to put 15 percent more cars up on the racks each day, and serve our customers faster.”

Derek Fenton, 18, a recent graduate from Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, worked at the tire shop this summer. He found out about the program through his high school and signed up. He is learning about mechanical work, time management, and
customer service, he said. The money he has earned helped him pay for classes at Riverside Community College.

“I love it,” Fenton said. “I am learning a lot, and it is paying for school.”

The $1.3 million in federal stimulus money is paid through the Riverside County economic Development Agency (EDA). It was used to create the workreadiness training and summer employment for youths between the ages of 16 and 24 in the communities of Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Coachella, Corona, Norco, Moreno Valley, Perris, Murrieta, and Riverside. Participants had to meet eligibility requirements including demonstrating financial need.

Participants are eligible to work 120 to 140 hours at businesses, non-profit organizations, and public agencies throughout the county. (Individuals with previous Career Technical Education (CTE) training in work-readiness began their internships sooner.)

Additionally, all students are provided Work Readiness classes and will receive a certificate upon completion of the course. The work-ready certification process addresses key skills, attitudes, and values necessary for success in the workplace; e.g., decision making, problem solving, resume writing, interview skills, etc. Worksite internships include both instruction and monitoring by site supervisors and RCOE CTE teachers. At the culmination of SWEP, students will have produced a job search portfolio to be used in helping them gain permanent, long-term employment. The workshops are taught by state credentialed CTE teachers, and worksites are provided by approved business partners who have entered into Worksite Agreements with the Riverside County Office of Education.

Oscar Valdepena Executive Director for the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce stated “the RCOE SWEP program stimulates the economy in three ways: participants receive a salary, businesses and industry are the recipients of the participant’s salary being paid by the grant, the community benefits from the participants who are using their salary to purchase goods and services in their local communities, and by developing a better prepared local workforce with the Worksite Agreements made between business and education.”

Demand far outstripped the number of summer job openings. Plans are underway to expand the program next summer.