Gov. Daniels to hire 2,000 youth this summer

Governor Mitch Daniels announced his plan last week to hire 2,000 young adults to help improve Indiana’s parks, trails and natural habitats.

The program, Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps, will hire Hoosiers ages 16 to 24 from families whose income is at or below the poverty level. The program begins May 1, lasts for 16 weeks and pays $8.50 per hour.

Young Hoosier Conservation Corps will be funded by the $24 million Indiana received from the Workforce Investment Act, which provided funds for state and local stabilization for 2009. The $24 million will be distributed across Indiana counties based on population and will be renewed in 2010 pending on its success this summer.

The federally funded jobs focus on restoring wildlife habitats, building trails and rehabilitating historic buildings at approximately 100 Department of Natural Resources sites. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development will be responsible for hiring employees.

DNR Assistant Director of Communications Martin Benson said the Department of Natural Resources is excited about the program and believes Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps will be beneficial to the state.

“It will help DNR get a lot of work completed we wouldn’t have been able to do before,” Benson said. “It will also teach employees job skills to help them find employment following their work here.”

Although employees will not be able to automatically extend their employment past September 1, they are encouraged to apply for permanent jobs on the department’s Web site.

State Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Elletsville, supports the program and Daniels’ initiative to promote job creation with the federal dollars.

“There are many worthwhile projects in our state that can use extra attention, and the opportunity for employment and experience comes at a critical time for young Hoosiers struggling during the economic downturn,” Simpson said in a press release.
DNR selected the program’s summer projects based on work providing the most on-the-job training, contribution to annual and seasonal needs of the sites, and ability to be completed within current budget limits.  

The department will be responsible for overseeing the program and training new employees in basic construction, historic preservation and greenway development skills at Indiana DNR sites, including Lake Monroe. Other local sites include Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Yellowwood State Forest and Brown County State Park.

Job applications are currently being accepted by the Department of Workforce Development online at www.in.gov/yhcc.