KROGER AND URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CINCINNATI TEAM UP TO OFFER JOB READINESS TRAINING TO 124 LOCAL TEENAGERS
YouthWorks Program Helps Students Improve Job Skills and Self-Esteem; Kroger Has Hired 1,250 Graduates in Past Five Years

CINCINNATI, OH, April 2, 2003 - The Kroger Co. and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati are teaming up Saturday to offer job skills training to 124 local teenagers who have registered for the popular YouthWorks program, which has served as a model for other communities.

As part of the program, students ages 14-17 learn a wide variety of job readiness skills, such as how to fill out a job application and prepare for an interview, what is expected of them in the workplace, and how to dress appropriately for work. The training curriculum was developed by the Urban League and is taught by Urban League and Kroger staff.

YouthWorks consists of three half-day classes to be held on Saturday afternoons in April. The first class will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Career Resource Building at 1811 Losantiville Rd in Bond Hill. Several Kroger executives will be there to welcome the students.

The YouthWorks program has been so successful that Kroger and the Urban League last year expanded it to Middletown, Hamilton and Northern Kentucky.

Since the program's inception five years ago, approximately 2,000 students have been trained, and Kroger has hired approximately 1,250 of the students who completed the program. In 2002, 153 students completed the program and Kroger hired 136.

"The students participating in YouthWorks gain valuable work experience and practical applications for the courses they are studying in school," said Marsha Watts, vice president of workforce development at the Urban League. "They gain maturity and a new sense of responsibility while being able to explore career interests. It's very gratifying to shop in a Kroger store and see YouthWorks students working there. I'd like to think we increased their chances for success with this program."

On May 3, 2003, Kroger will host a job fair for Youthworks graduates at the Career Resource Building in Bond Hill. Kroger managers will interview students for jobs that are available in stores near their homes. Students who are hired will be paid for the hours they spent in the YouthWorks classes.

"YouthWorks provides the students with some of the tools necessary to succeed in the workplace," said Reuben Shaffer, vice president of operations for Kroger's Cincinnati division. "The turnover rate among graduates of the YouthWorks program is considerably lower than for those teenagers who did not take part. They tend to have a better sense of maturity and responsibility."

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2002, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,488 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 784 convenience stores, 441 fine jewelry stores, 376 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

« Go back