Distinguished Employers of Fort Worth Teens encourage school completion

FORT WORTH --  Applications are now being accepted through August 2, 2009 for the Distinguished Employers of Fort Worth Teens.

Surveys show that 25 percent of Fort Worth ISD teens work in part-time or summer jobs, and the Distinguished Employers of Fort Worth Teens want to make successful teen employment compatible with high school completion.

Currently, 23 employers with 90 locations throughout Fort Worth have pledged to employ proven best practices that support these goals, such as providing flexible hours and encouraging school performance and attendance.  This annual designation is provided by collaborative community partners (listed below) as an important component of the Stay in School Initiative and Fort Worth ISD’s Project Prevail. 

Go here for the brief application package. http://www.fortworthchamber.com/chamber_about/DEFWT.html .

To be eligible, a business or organization must employ current Fort Worth ISD students and pledge to implement proven practices as listed on the application.

Benefits to employers include use of program logo for corporate communications and teen employee recruitment, decals, certificates and other recognition by the community partners. Employers whose applications are received and approved by August 2, 2009 will be recognized at an autumn event hosted and publicized by the collaborative community partners.

See a complete list of current employers here. http://www.fortworthchamber.com/docs/DEFWT0910-Employers.pdf

 “We are so excited about the potential of this program; helping Fort Worth teens be successful in school and on the job is important to us,” said Sondra Bowden of the Fort Worth Zoo. “The Zoo works to be a real partner in creating an environment that supports their future, and helps prepare them to graduate from high school ready for higher education and/or the work force.”

For additional information, go to http://www.fortworthchamber.com/chamber_about/DEFWT.html or contact Cynthia Miller, senior director of workforce development, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce at 817-336-2491 ext. 240 or cmiller@fortworthchamber.com.  

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Community partners for Distinguished Employers of Fort Worth Teens are the Fort Worth Chamber, the Fort Worth ISD, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Tarrant County, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth.