Immediate Release

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 
For Information Contact

798-5800

Picente: Oneida County Taking Applications For Summer Youth Employment Program

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced that Oneida County Office is taking applications for its 2008 Summer Youth Employment Program, although the funding for the program has not yet been approved by the state.

“ New York State has annually supported these high-quality programs by including money for them in the state budget, but until a final budget is passed, we won’t know how many youth we can serve,” Picente said. “While we wait for a final budget, we want our Oneida County young people to apply now so that once funding arrives to operate a Summer Youth Employment Program, we will have their applications on file. Gov. Spitzer has included funding for this important program in his budget, and I am confident that the final state budget will include money that helps these youth gain work experience they need and the wages they want.”

Most youths in the program work about 20 hours per week over four to six weeks, depending upon the level of funding. Youths earn a stipend and are placed in well-supervised community worksites or assigned to special projects. To be eligible, youths must be between the ages of 14 and 18 and meet certain income criteria.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program provides young people with meaningful work experience and also helps them earn money that they and their families can use,” said David Mathis, Director of Oneida County Workforce Development. Mathis said because the funding level is not yet certain, Workforce Development is currently only accepting pre-applications. Youth who have applied will be contacted in early June. The Summer Youth Employment Program is expected to start in July.

            Fast facts:

  • Youth work an average of 100 hours over five weeks of employment, usually working 20 hours per week.
  • Youth earn $7.15 per hour
  • Oneida County ’s SYEP begins on July 7th and runs through mid-August.

Oneida County ’s SYEP offers a variety of options:

  • Academic sites to increase computer and technology skills.
  • Worksites that provide community service to schools, facilities
  • Some worksites are indoors; others are outdoors.
  • Career preparation programs.
  • Utica-based programs are offered at MVCC, Johnson Park Center and King School
  • Programs are also offered in Rome , Boonville, Waterville , and other areas.

Pre-applications are available at:

·        Working Solutions Utica , State Office Building , 207 Genesee St. , Second Floor.

·        Working Solutions Rome , 1101 Floyd Ave.

·        Oneida County Workforce Development, 209 Elizabeth St. , Second Floor, Utica

·        King School Technology Center , ML King School , Utica (4-7 p.m.)

·        The Workforce Development page of the Oneida County Government Web site (www.ocgov.net)