The Utah Department of Workforce Services in Moab recently honored employers and interns who participated in the Summer Stimulus Internship Program (SSIP).

The program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, is designed to help create summer employment opportunities for youth. Federal statistics reveal that the unemployment rate for young adults ages 18-24 is nearly double that of the total population. Utah’s Summer Stimulus Internship Program (SSIP), which began June 1, 2009 and will end March 31, 2010, aims to help youth find opportunities for work.

Local employers participating in this year’s program are Arches Repair Center, Desert Dance Daycare, the Department of Workforce Services, the Grand County Treasurer’s Office, the Grand County Maintenance Department, Harrison Oil Field Service, the Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah, Lily Pad Learning Center, Moab 4x4 Outpost, the Grand Center, Moab Valley Multicultural Center, Mountainland Rehab, Seekhaven, and Sunshine Gardens.

The employers received extra help on their worksites, with the cost for interns’ employment paid by the Department of Workforce Services. Throughout the program, employers are given the chance to observe the young adults’ work habits and skills, while getting “back burner” projects done.

Grand County Treasurer Peggy Taylor employed two interns to microfilm the county’s historical tax rolls. The young adults are given an opportunity to learn more about an organization or industry and to use the skills and experience as a resume builder, according to a news release from DWS.

Employers supervise the interns and outline skills the interns will learn during their employment.

“It was nice to be able to call the Department of Workforce Services for support to resolve problems,” said Jim Lewis of Mountainland Rehab. “That way, the interns received help from the work site supervisor and their SSIP job coach.”

Moab youth participating in this year’s program are Logan Morris, Travis Yazzie, Perry Houck, Jerry Hager, Quincy Clark, Jesse Brooks, Shasta Lisonbee, Bobby Mason, T.J. Applegate, Demetria Vijil, Anthony Farrior, Bianca Chavez, Alyssa Rhoads, and Heather Brooks.