Salem, OR - Marion County is pleased to announce a new program to assist employers who hire first-time employees ages 14-17 this summer. Employers can receive a stipend of $4 per hour for each eligible youth employee under the Youth Wage Grant program.
 

Program funding is provided by a portion of Marion County's video lottery proceeds designated under state law for economic development activities. "Marion County is really pleased to offer this new program to employers and local youth looking to gain work experience," said Commissioner Danielle Bethell.  She continued, "This is a win-win. It's become more and more difficult for youth to get work experience and we hope that many types of employers take advantage of this opportunity to hire local youth over the summer."    
 

The program is retroactive to May 1, 2021, and concludes September 30, 2021. Eligibility requirements include:

• Be based in Marion County;
• Not employ more than 35 employees;
• Can provide a copy of a valid annual Youth Employment Certificate from the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI);
• Will employ a youth at least 14 years of age, but not older than 17, who is a resident of Marion County, Oregon;
• Will provide documentation showing the employed youth performed work between May 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021;
• Allow a representative of Willamette Workforce Partnership to visit your worksite to assure compliance with this grant. 

Marion County has partnered with Willamette Workforce Partnership to administer the grant program. Grant funds will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Additional information and grant applications will be available at https://willwp.org/.