HUNDREDS OF AREA STUDENTS ELIGIBLE
FOR FREE PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

(FLINT, MI SEPTEMBER 13, 2007) The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce will provide free pre-employment training for hundreds of area students beginning October 8 and continuing for six weeks. The training is part of the Regional Chamber’s TeenQuest program and is designed for Genesee County students ages 14-18. The Regional Chamber will offer three additional training periods in 2008.

"Each year since 2005 we have provided summer jobs for over 450 teens through our Summer Youth Initiative," said Rhetta Hunyady, Group Vice President for Education and Training at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. "TeenQuest is the pre-employability training program that prepares students for the Summer Youth Initiative. Our new TeenQuest program will now be available at schools throughout Genesee County during the school year. This will give students the chance to complete the program and prepare for employment in the Summer Youth Initiative or other work situations."

The October training will be held at Atherton High School, Linden High School, Carman Park Baker Academy and Mt. Morris High School. Locations for training will be moved around the county in order to provide opportunities for students across the county. The 2008 training dates and locations will be announced before the end of the year.

Teens are taught fundamental skills important to obtaining and maintaining employment. Students must demonstrate the following skills to complete the TeenQuest training component:

1. Teamwork in the Workplace
2. The Job Interview
3. Business Etiquette and Appropriate Dress in the Workplace
4. Positive Mental Attitude
5. Appropriate Communication in the Workplace
6. Taking Initiative
7. Goal Setting
8. Conflict Resolution
9. Managing Change
10. Values
11. Citizenship
12. Responsibility
13. Trustworthiness
14. Ethics in the Workplace

"Students who successfully complete the course are prepared to make application for the Summer Youth Initiative or other employment," said Hunyady. "We are encouraging local employers who are looking for seasonal help at the holidays to consider our students."

Applications for the October TeenQuest training program are available by contacting Regional Chamber staff listed below.

Rhetta Hunyady
Operations Vice President
rhunyady@thegrcc.org
810.600.1412

Paula Stainbrook
Administrative Assistant
pstainbrook@thegrcc.org
810.60001413