Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 26, 2006

Metro expands summer jobs programs

While some teenagers are spending long, hot summer days at the pool, dozens of others are picking up trash in rail stations and trains, washing buses and filing paperwork for the region’s subway and bus system. 
About 132 young people, ages 14-21, are working for Metro this summer – that’s nearly triple the number from last year, and the largest group transit authority managers have seen since the Summer Youth Program began more than 10 years ago.  The agency also resurrected its summer intern program for college students and recent graduates after a three-year absence. About 38 interns are working in various departments in an effort to expose them to the transit industry. 
Interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini expanded the programs this summer.  “We have so many people eligible to retire in the next three to five years, we have to start reaching out to the next generation,” said Tangherlini. 
About 30 percent of Metro’s workforce will be eligible for retirement by 2010.  Tangherlini hopes these young people take away some life lessons from what for many will be their first job. He spent a summer when he was 15 picking up trash and filling potholes through a summer youth program with the Massachusetts Highway Department.
“It motivated me to go to school, and kept me interested in public service and transportation,” Tangherlini said.
For some former youth workers, a summer job has turned into year-round employment. Tiffany Jones, 21, of Forestville, Md., was hired this year as a rail car cleaner after spending four summers in the program. “I’m loving it,” said Jones. “I’m trying to retire with Metro.”
The summer youth workers apply and receive paychecks through local government employment offices in D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia. Metro provides the job opportunities. The youth are employed from the end of June through mid August. The summer college interns are employed by the transit authority and will work until September.
 

News release issued on July 26, 2006.