Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo announces jobs program

5/16/2014

About 250 young adults learned today they would be participating in a summer job placement program offered by the Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo, now known as Pathway.

Both the job program and the new name were announced at a three-hour celebration in front of the Hamilton Building, in the 500 block of Hamilton Street, that was attended by job seekers, area dignitaries, and representatives of area employers. 

About 10 representatives of area companies and nonprofit organizations attended the event, looking to sign contracts with Pathway, said Stanley Lowe, Pathway's chief executive officer. Potential employers that had expressed interest in signing contracts with Pathway range from ProMedica to the Andersons Inc., to Kuhlman Corp., to Toledo School for the Arts, he said.

Between 60 and 80 young people had completed a week-long training that started last Monday. They are scheduled to start their jobs this Monday, with groups of equal size to follow in their steps on a weekly basis, according to Mr. Lowe.

The program will place about 700 teens and young adults in the work force from this month through late September. Mr. Lowe said he has identified about 130 potential employers that could accept the workers, who are between 18 and 24 years old and who will receive $8 an hour for eight weeks.

The celebration kicked off with a Scott High School marching band, continued with addresses by local dignitaries, and wrapped up with tours of classrooms where the program's classes will take place.