City government will hire 500 youths in its summer employment program this year -- double the regular amount -- and adopt new work force development measures, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced.

The city also pledged to work with middle and high school educators on job training; join a Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board job shadowing program; and incorporate a YouthWorks job training program into its summer jobs program.

The mayor made the announcements at the start of Imagine! Career Week. Summer job applications will be available on the city's official Web site the first week in June.