Boosting Youth Employment while Supporting Small Business Customers

For this generation of California’s young people, landing a first job can be difficult. Recognizing this, we created the PG&E Summer Jobs program to connect underserved youth with their first career opportunity while supporting our small business customers and making local economies more vibrant.

Program Overview

Through the PG&E Summer Jobs program, we partner with local Boys & Girls Clubs chapters to provide youth, aged 15-18, with career education and job readiness training. Youth participants who successfully complete the six-week training program have the opportunity to apply and compete for six-week paid summer jobs at local nonprofit organizations and small or medium-sized businesses in their community. Since 2012, we’ve provided training for nearly 1,700 youth and helped 484 youth secure summer jobs.

Training Young People for Work and Matching Them with Jobs

While the Boys & Girls Clubs have long provided youth with career training, until recently the organization hadn’t been able to connect their young trainees to jobs. In 2012 PG&E partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County to pilot the Summer Jobs program and provided training for more than 200 and jobs for 55 youth during its first year. Since then we’ve expanded the program beyond Fresno to Bakersfield and Sacramento.

Throughout the six-week employment period, the youth worked 25 hours per week, acquiring critical skills, interacting with customers and learning about professionalism. With the 2012 Fresno pilot a success, PG&E expanded the program to Bakersfield and Sacramento in 2013.

In addition to their earnings, each young person – many from underserved households – received professional work attire, the opportunity to open a bank account, a stipend for transportation to and from work, and an invitation to an overnight retreat designed to inspire students about the value of higher education.

How to Sign Up

Interested youth ages 15-18 should contact their local Boys & Girls Clubs chapter at the information below.

Fresno County Chapters

• 540 N. Augusta
  Fresno, CA 93701
  Ph: 559-266-3117

Kern County Chapters

• 801 Niles Street
  Bakersfield, CA 93305
  Ph: 661-325-3730

Sacramento County Chapters

• 5212 Lemon Hill Avenue
  Sacramento, CA 95824
  Ph: 916-392-2582