The city of Wichita is reporting growth and success with a project to help young people find summer jobs and internships.

The city has been sponsoring the Help Youth Prepare for Employment (HYPE) project, along with the Greater Wichita YMCA, Wichita State University, the Wichita school district, the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, and other agencies and businesses.

Mayor Jeff Longwell said he challenged local agencies to grow summer internships in 2016, when there were only around 100 youngsters who had been placed into work opportunities.   He said during the summer of 2019, there were 1,210 youngsters who were placed in jobs and internships with 221 employers.

Longwell said having more young people active in the workforce provides support to local businesses and it helps young people understand the value of work and a job.  He said it also helps build a talent pipeline for local businesses and it’s another way to make sure that the Wichita community retains a young, talented workforce.