With summer just around the corner, the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council and Latin American Youth Center’s Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) have teamed up to bring together the area’s top companies and organizations under one roof for the third annual Let’s Get It Started youth job fair. The fair will take place on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus Gymnasium.

The youth job fair provides hundreds of young people, between the ages of 16 and 21, with one-stop exposure to employment opportunities, internship and apprenticeship information, and community resources. Youth participating in Let’s Get It Started will have the opportunity to participate in on-site interviews.

“Our commitment to develop a skilled workforce begins well before young adults complete high school because employment opportunities for youth are as critical as those for adults,” said Kathy Mannes, Chair of the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council. “The purpose of this fair is to help Montgomery County youth as they begin to explore career options, start to enter the workforce, or settle on their career of choice.”

To date, more than 50 employers and organizations looking to fill seasonal and permanent positions have signed up to participate in the job fair, including the Montgomery County Recreation Department, Montgomery County Public Schools, Target, United Colors of Benetton, and Job Corps.

“Youth need jobs and employers need engaged and committed employees, so this job fair will help connect these needs,” said Luisa Montero, Managing Director of the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers. “We’re very pleased to be able to work closely with the Montgomery County Youth Council, employers, and other community organizations in the county to offer Let’s Get It Started.”

“The Let’s Get It Started youth job fair is part of Montgomery County’s commitment to its youth,” said Barbara Kaufmann, Manager, Division of Workforce Services, Montgomery County Department of Economic Development. “Along with youth skills and academic training and development programs offered throughout the year, we’re helping youth attain a GED or high school diploma, and beyond, so they will be better prepared for the future.”

Sponsors of the event include: Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council; Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families; Maryland’s Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation; Montgomery Works One-Stop Workforce Center; Montgomery County Department of Recreation; Montgomery County Ride On; Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers; El Zol 99.1 FM; TransCen; and YMCA.

For more information, contact Janelle Cauthen at 301-495-0441 ext. 223.