By Dianne Anderson

For once, the qualifications for getting a job shouldn't be too difficult for Long Beach teens and youths to meet.

The city  is looking for very at-risk youths with a bad background, high school dropouts,  juvenile hall or even jail. They must be low income, out of school and looking for work to qualify for the city's new Green jobs training program.

“The population we're looking for is exactly that,” said Christopher Morales, program specialist.. “Juvenile or adult records, we have plenty of those who have become participants in the program.”

There's still a lot of open slots, but local youths better hurry because they're going fast. The last call for the last class is next month.

In partnership with the Conservation Corps, the city's Youth Opportunity Program is reaching out to the area's most at-risk youths, who don't have a high school diploma, who need job training, who need jobs.

That also describes most African American youths in that age group in the Central Area.

The program is not a direct job placement, but training helps youths get their diploma through John Muir Charter School at the Conservation Corps. They receive 200 work hours in Green classes, recycling, landscaping projects, leading to potential jobs within the city Office of Sustainability.

“There's always an opportunity for them to be picked up by the Conservation Corps if they prove themselves, and are able to adapt to the rules and show up to work. They'll be picked up as regular Corps members,” Morales said.

Funded with Stimulus dollars, the Youth Opportunity Program classes are focused on local and global environment, civic responsibility. Youths will also visit Long Beach Aquarium, beach, natural museum, with 100 hours of community service in Green, parks and cleanups.

Morales said youths come through who have not been in school for years or haven't had any job experience. He admits it's a battle.

“But once they get into the class setting, it's an opportunity,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for them to obtain their high school diploma and utilize our services, and find a career.”

The level of placement and completion is not exactly high. Maybe about one-fourth stick it out until completion.

“It's really hard to go from zero to 60 when they're not even going to school,” he said.

But for those who finish, there's a good chance of job placement when they complete the program. Youths can also earn three work certifications, worth $2,000 each, for hazardous waste removal, lead abatement and occupational safety.

The grant accommodates 125 youths, including 100 older youths age 18-24, and 25 teens from 17 to 18 years old.

So far, about 80 youths have gone through the classes. By mid-August, the program will take 40 more participants, most come from the Long Beach area. Classes have a good level of diversity and representation of Black males, he said, and are relatively gender balanced for the nontraditional work, at about 40 percent females.

Applications and orientation sessions start mid-August, and the new class starts mid-September.

“This is one of the few programs, and I stress that, that allows these youth [to attend]. It's not a barrier, we're encouraging them to take the opportunity with this grant and make a change,” Morales said.

For more information, call Mr. Morales at 562.570.4733.