Summer jobs for high school and college students are said to be scarce in Arizona; however, more than 40 Graham County youths will be put to work thanks to the federal Workforce Investment Act.

The dining hall in the Gherald L. Hoopes Activities Center at the Eastern Arizona College was transformed into a large interview room, where students met with site managers from several county and state agencies in hopes of landing a job.

One of the students, Safford High School junior Tim Hart, was among 42 applicants seeking summer employment. Hart, 16, wanted a job “working with my hands.”

Pima High School graduate Erika Garcia, left, and Safford High School graduate Mike Turner prepare for job interviews with local business and government hiring managers. Photo by Diane Saunders

He had interviews lined up with five employers — the U.S. Forest Service, Roper Lake State Park, the University of Arizona Observatory, the town of Thatcher and Graham County.

Each of the site managers scored the students based on their interviews. The site managers then ranked the interviewees and submitted the rankings to Workforce Development, said Susan Franco-Lee, WIA coordinator for the county.

The staff at Workforce Development used the rankings to match students with jobs, Franco-Lee added.

Money from a WIA grant pays the wages of the student employees. Franco-Lee said recently it is a win-win situation for all participants. Local youths work 30 hours a week for $7.25 an hour and receive on-the-job training. The employers gain an extra staff member for eight weeks at no cost.

Scott Allred, assistant manager of Roper Lake State Park, said the park usually hires one student to work each summer. Hart was one of several students who interviewed for the job.

“I think it will help me with my future goals to go to college and be a police officer,” Hart said of participating in the summer program.

The program includes three classes about job-seeking strategies. Those who successfully complete the course earn two EAC credits, Franco-Lee said.

The program is successful, as evidenced by returning students such as Ashley Lopez, a Thatcher High School senior. She said she worked as teacher’s aide at the Graham County Rehabilitation Center last summer and hopes for a clerical job this summer.

Despite being a one-year veteran of the program, Lopez admitted to being “just a little bit nervous” prior to her interviews.

Participants can also receive help during the school year for expenses related to additional education. Franco-Lee said Workforce Devel-opment is able to pay tuition costs not covered by federal Pell grants.