The Workforce Development Board’s (WDB) Youth Employment Program (YEP) is an important platform that aims to reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement by providing year-round employment opportunities to at-risk youth, ages 14-20, from low-income households. Program participants will be recruited, hired, and paid through the Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison & Oneida Counties, Inc.

The WDB is seeking partnerships with Oneida County employers who can provide jobs to YEP participants. Youth will work after school and on weekends and can work a flexible schedule depending on their availability and the work site.

The program also provides education and career exploration and is further intended to support youth at risk of gun violence as part of a statewide gun-violence reduction intervention model.

YEP will connect eligible Oneida County youth, ages 14-20, with entry-level jobs in a variety of industries, including government agencies, hospitals, camps, non-profits, small businesses, museums, retail organizations, and others.

At the conclusion of the program, the employer will have the option to hire the youth, the youth may secure their own employment, or staff will assist with job search or career exploration activities.

The program runs from September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

Oneida County businesses need only supply the worksite and the WDB will do the rest. Youth can work up to 200 hours between September and June. The worksite request form is located on our website here: https://www.working-solutions.org/training-grant-programs/youth-employment-program-yep

For more information about this program, please contact: Zuleyka Febo, YEP Coordinator: zfebo@working-solutions.org or 315-207-6951 ext. 144

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