Labor Department, Wet ‘N’ Wild Partner to Kick Off New Program

GREENSBORO—One of the largest seasonal employers in the Triad is joining with the N.C. Department of Labor Thursday to kick off a new program aimed at making the youth hiring process easier for school kids and their employers.

Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe is in the midst of hiring its summer employees and now will use the Labor Department’s new online program—called YEC Auto—to apply for youth employment certificates.

The certificates, or youth work permits, are required for any worker under 18. Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe annually hires about 600 seasonal workers, many of them teenagers.

“We’re really excited to help the Department of Labor kick off this new program,” general manager Tony Brancazio said. “It will make the youth employment process a lot simpler for us, youth and their parents.”

Labor officials are meeting with Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe new hires and their parents at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to introduce the new program. This summer marks the first that the water park will use YEC Auto to get the hundreds of work permits park officials need each year.

In the past, teenagers who were 14 to 17 took a blank job certificate to their local social services department for approval. Now teens can apply online, print out a copy of the certificate and give it to their employers. Applications can be approved in a matter of minutes.

“With all of the new technology out there, the old procedure for getting youth employment certificates was outdated,” state Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “We’re just trying to make the process a little easier on everyone while still ensuring the safety and well-being of North Carolina’s young workers.”

The work permits ensure teens are not working in hazardous or detrimental jobs that are not permitted under the N.C. Wage and Hour Act. Work hours also are restricted for 14- and 15-year-olds.

The NCDOL Wage and Hour Bureau issued more than 73,000 certificates in 2005, with the largest number of requests coming in May and June.

To get a work permit, go to the NCDOL Web site, click on “Youth Work Permits,” and follow the instructions for submitting the form.

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