Organization Holds Youth Job Showcase Saturday

The seventh annual KentuckianaWorks Youth Opportunity Showcase is Saturday and the number of jobs available has grown from last year.“We have over 25 companies and we have more companies this year than last year. Last year we had around 950 and this year we’re over 1,200. So the great news is there are an increasing number of jobs that companies are trying to fill and looking to fill with 16 to 21 year olds. So we’re hoping to get a good crowd of kids out," said Michael Gritton, executive director of KentuckianaWorks.But several kids last year weren’t well prepared, he said. After receiving feedback from employers, many youths did not make the best impression which is partly why this year KentuckianaWorks offered free help with resumes and job interview skills, Gritton said.“If they ask you a question about why you want to work there, have a good answer. Don’t just say, well, because my mom says I have to work somewhere; or, oh, I’m just looking for any old job. You want to be able to tell them, if you’re talking to the zoo, why you want to work for the zoo," said Gritton.Around 400 took advantage of the organization's free training service and those that did will be wearing badges to prove it, he said.On average, around half of those who attend the showcase find work, said Gritton.