TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – Summer is just weeks away and many kids don’t want to take time off once school is out.

That’s because some of them are looking for their very first job.

“I really want a job so I can start making money and provide for everyone in my family and start making money for myself,” said Briana Holmes, a student from Holt High School who came job hunting.

West Alabama Works invited hundreds of Tuscaloosa-area high school underclassmen to the I.G.N.I.T.E. summer job far.

Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors did face-to-face interviews for jobs with 13 participating businesses and military recruiters.

Groups that offered internships and apprenticeships also attended.

Organizers said Alabama’s youth unemployment rate is around 9%, making it among the highest in the country. They said hiring events like this are “mission critical” for future generations of workers.

“We’re really working to get our students while they’re in school, experience interviewing with companies, getting summer jobs, working and learning essential workforce skills. So that they’ll be ready when they graduate high school,” said Donny Jones, the executive director of West Alabama Works.

Teens took the time to explain why it’s also important to them.

“I feel like I will be more prepared just because I’m socializing,” explained Melani Lagunes, a student from Holt High School who wants her first job, but had not done an interview until now. “That’s good for myself and other people.”

Jones said an April hiring event they organized for graduating high school seniors led to 200 students getting fulltime jobs.

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