Area groups work with youths to groom them for employment

Job application pools became deeper and murkier when the bad economic storm blew through the United States.

Teens looking for jobs or internships faced hiring competition from overqualified fellow job seekers.

Enter Career Launch.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Gap Inc. collaboration provides teens with necessary tools for landing and keeping a job. The weekly employment preparedness program often leads to retail positions in Gap Inc. stores and volunteer incentives for store employees.

"Career Launch leads to a qualified candidate," said Yelena Hamai, manager of Old Navy Town Square Las Vegas and a local Career Launch coordinator. "Having worked in retail for 18 years myself, I've interviewed thousands of young people, and I know that an interview can make a huge impression."

Hamai assists teens from the The Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas James Clubhouse, 2530 E. Carey Ave. The group meets Mondays and covers original curriculum and supplemented information from careerlaunch.net, said teen director Josh Gainey.

"The job market is so tough for teens," he said. "First impressions are big."

Topics range from appropriate dress and appearance, to resume writing, interview tactics, customer service, conflict resolution and courtesy in the workplace.

About a dozen teens ages 14 to 18 participate in group and individual interview sessions and a daylong, hands-on event called Camp Old Navy.

Hamai often draws on Career Launch pupils and alumni for seasonal work.

Gainey said some Career Launch teens catch Hamai's attention for other positions. Sixteen-year-old Marco Aleman stood out in a group interview exercise, and Hamai emailed Gainey about his potential, Gainey said.

This is the second year that Aleman, a North Las Vegas resident, has participated in Career Launch. He plans to look for a job for spending money this year.

"The more I learn, the better," Aleman said.

Jorge Corral, 17, of Las Vegas, is in his third year of Career Launch.

"We're all 16, 17 (or) 18 and getting ready to go in to the real world," he said. "You need to see how you have to survive out there."

Career Launch highlights job-related etiquette the young men never considered, they said.

"Last we learned the do's and don'ts for the first 90 days of your job," Aleman said. "Also, if you're going to be out, don't have someone call in sick for you. And give two weeks notice if you quit."

Corral, who has earned money helping his self-employed father, learned corporate hierarchy.

"I didn't know everyone has a manager above them," he said.

Gap Inc.'s Be What's Possible campaign cultivates volunteer projects linking employees with nonprofits.

Hamai has also hosted Thanksgiving meals for James Clubhouse members and in-store special events.

"Volunteering is very rewarding," Hamai said. "It's great to work for an organization that welcomes and encourages it."

For more information, visit careerlaunch.net.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.