Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Mayor William R. Wild Reaches Out to Businesses to Offer Westland Youth Employment Opportunities

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Mayor William R. Wild Reaches Out to Businesses to Offer Westland Youth Employment Opportunities

Westland, MI - Mayor William R. Wild is reaching out to Westland businesses to partner on a common goal of introducing Westland's young adults to the workforce. The "Wild About Youth Works!" Program aims to prepare Westland's young adults for the workforce by teaching them the virtue of a strong work ethic, good customer service skills and financial responsibility.

The Wild About Youth Works Program, in its 6th year, is geared towards youth ages 16-18. Participants will receive financial literacy training through the City's partnership in the program with Fifth Third Bank. Students will also be required to attend a "dress for success" event on Wednesday, May 4. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will take place in the Grande Ballroom of Westland City Hall, located at 36300 Warren Rd.

"Our goal is to equip Westland's youth with the skills and knowledge needed to be competitive candidates for employment. Through the Wild About Youth Works Program, participants will make the investment into their future by taking the steps to learn what makes an individual employable," stated Mayor Wild. "Our goal is to provide the students who take those steps with a list of 100 positions available with local businesses in various industries. As city leaders, educators and parents, it is important that collectively we all do as much as possible."

Businesses will benefit from participating in the program by attaining young, tech savvy employees who have had initial general training and education. All that is required is a commitment to interviewing and hiring at least one student and providing them with at least 16 hours of work per week for six weeks or more at the minimum wage rate or higher.

Businesses who are are willing to participate, as well as students interested in the program, should contact Paul Motz, the Director of Westland Youth Assistance, at (734)467-7904.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".