Each summer, Trenton teens finish the school year and begin the search for summer employment. However, most teens have no idea where to begin their search or how to go about landing their first position. All this changes when teens join the Boys & Girls Club and begin Job Ready®; a program that provides Club members ages 16 to 18 with the skills and knowledge necessary to find, obtain, keep and excel in jobs.

This summer, more than 30 Club teens from various high schools throughout the district are grouped together and hard at work in three Job Ready classes that meet for two hours, twice a week at Centre Street and Columbus School.

“I was introduced to the Job Ready program at a career fair at my school last spring,” says Ashley Lightner, upcoming senior at Ewing High. “I was eager to join the program because I knew it would teach me the proper tools and strategies I needed to be successful at a job.”

Each Job Ready class participates in an 8 week work readiness program where they learn skills that help them to become self sufficient in the workplace.

This summer’s Job Ready program focuses on Interview skills, resume writing, being punctual, responding to authority, college searches, college tours, and filling out successful applications.

“Job Ready has taught me the things not to do and say when giving a first impression to prospective employers,” says Sarah Kelly, upcoming senior at Ewing High. “One thing I learned was to always look my best and leave a positive impression on people when being interviewed.”

Through engaging demonstrations, role-playing and practice sessions, participating Club teens learn by doing and develop understanding of what it takes to excel in the workplace.

After successful completion of the 8 week program, Club teens graduate into their first summer job as counselors in the summer camp programs held at Centre Street and Columbus School.

“I love kids so I’m really looking forward to working in camp as a Junior Counselor with the children every day,” says Gary Lawery, upcoming sophomore at Pennsbury High School. “Now I’ll have something to look forward to this summer, including my first paycheck.”

Other Job Ready classes also allow teens to progress as employees into the Boys & Girls Club Bike Exchange program, barber apprentices at the Razor Sharp Classic Co. barbershop located inside 212 Centre Street and as counselors in our extended day learning program held during the school year.

With programs such as Job Ready, teens have the opportunity to prepare for the workforce and earn a paycheck, all while staying safe and positively engaged during the summer months.

“Having a summer job means a lot to me because it will keep me off the streets and doing something beneficial to my future while I’m out of school,” says Leroy Nelson. “I’ve been taught a lot about having and keeping a job. I’m looking forward to using the skills I’ve learned.”

“Our youth leave Job Ready so thankful because they learn so much. Not just about work readiness, but also about life,” says Jason Smith, associate teen services director. “The facilitators of Job Ready do so much more than just teach kids that blue, black, and gray are the universal business colors. We teach them life skills and how to become great men and women.”