Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hires younger workers

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has long been a popular place for teens to have fun but this summer it’s also putting a number of them to work.

The boardwalk has been around since 1907 and is the “oldest” seaside amusement park in California.

This summer it is hiring some of it’s “youngest” seasonal workers ever, as young as 14-years-old.

The boardwalk’s head of human resources said younger employees can earn good money and get valuable work experience.
There are some restrictions: 14- and 15-year olds can’t work past 9 p.m and all minors must have work permits from their schools.

“What do I want to do with my money? I guess just save it up for school clothes or anything I need so I can provide for myself,” said Sabra Reyes.

Boardwalk employee, Anissa said, “Are 14-year-olds really ready to work? Absolutely, they are so motivated and excited to get out here and learn how to be in the workforce.”

The Boardwalk has been hiring 15-year-olds for about five years. Last year, it started a pilot program to bring in 14-year-olds.

The Boardwalk now has about fifty 14-year-old hires out of a total workforce of about 17-hundred.