3:40pm | A local workforce group is looking to provide youth with job opportunities this summer by offering to pay their wages, providing salary and workers’ comp for 1,500 youth with about 180 hours of work this summer.

Any business within the range of Lomita, Torrance, Signal Hill and Long Beach can sign up to hire a new employee for the next few months, and their wages will be paid by the organization.

It’s part of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network’s Summer Youth Employment Training Program, and uses federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to keep local youth employed through the summer.

“Employers have an opportunity to participate in a meaningful summer employment program for our youth and our community.  We invite employers to provide a work site for one or more youth – and to help spread the word to area nonprofits, and public and private sector employers,” said Bryan Rogers, Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Board Executive Director.

Businesses interested in hiring can learn more about the program at YourNextHire.biz.

Similar programs employed 1,200 young workers last year at 250 businesses. Congress is considering legislation that would expand funding for 2011.

Disclosure: staging-live.lbpost.com publisher Shaun Lumachi is Chair of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network board of directors.