Picente Urges Oneida County Youth to Apply for Summer Jobs

County Summer Youth Employment Program Now Accepting Applications

UTICA — Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced that Oneida County is taking applications for its 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program is a chance for local at-risk youth to seize a new opportunity and move toward a prosperous future,” Picente said. “Our program places these youth at hands-on sites to develop teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills, and prepares them to become productive employees with thriving careers.”

The application can be accessed at the Oneida County Workforce Development page: www.ocgov.net/workforcedev.

The program is funded through an annual allocation through New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Although the final amount of statewide funding for the program will not be known for several weeks until after the state budget is adopted, Picente urged youth to apply now.

“This is a very competitive program, and we know that there are many young people who want to work this summer,” Picente said. “We encourage you to file your pre-applications now to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Picente said that based on current estimates, Oneida County will serve between 400 and 450 youth through the program.

Beginning in May, the Office of Workforce Development will begin interviewing applicants to determine eligibility for the program.

Program participants work up to 50 hours and are paid minimum wage. They are placed in well-supervised community worksites or assigned to special projects. To be eligible, participants must be Oneida County residents between the ages of 14 and 18 and meet certain income criteria.

“Oneida County’s Summer Youth Employment Program offers young people from all across the county the opportunity to gain work experience and earn money,” Picente said. “The Office of Workforce Development is currently working with local community agencies to develop work sites and provides participants with a valuable experience that lays a solid foundation for their future.”

Oneida County Workforce Development Director David Mathis said that the Summer Youth Employment Program fills a vital need for teens who would not otherwise have the opportunity to work.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program provides young people with meaningful work experience and also helps them earn money their families can use. This program makes a difference in the lives of the teenagers who will be the backbone of our community and our workforce,” Mathis said.