April 10, 2012 -- County Executive Robert P. Astorino on Tuesday announced four initiatives designed to help teenagers and young adults get summer jobs and internships.
"The best way to combat youth unemployment is by creating job opportunities," Astorino said. "These programs are designed to make it easier for businesses to connect with qualified teenagers and young adults."
Marsha Gordon, president of the council, said, "The Business Council of Westchester is pleased to be part of these initiatives, which create an environment for young people to grow their careers."
The programs are:
- The College Internship Program, a clearinghouse to match college students with businesses in Westchester and Putnam that are seeking interns. The clearinghouse will provide local college students internship opportunities with local businesses. Businesses may list paid and unpaid internship opportunities at a Web site that will soon be launched. Colleges and their students will be able to post resumes, review and apply for internship opportunities. These resumes will be screened by the program's coordinator. The program was created at the suggestion of the Business Council of Westchester's Coalition for Business Development and put in place by the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board's Career Connection Committee, which includes representatives of local higher education institutions, business and youth service organizations.
- The Private Sector Summer Jobs Initiative, which is designed to encourage local businesses to hire youth ages 18 to 24. Last year, 184 youth were hired by 50 businesses through this program, generating about $60,000 in salaries – and 25 of these youth landed permanent jobs when the summer ended. Businesses pay the salaries; there is no public subsidy. The program, in its third year, is a collaboration of the Westchester-Putnam Investment Board and the Business Council of Westchester. Businesses interested in participating in this initiative may contact Ebony White at The Business Council of Westchester at (914) 948-2110 or list a summer job at www.westchestersummerjobs.com. Among the businesses that participated last year were: Business of Your Business, Tarrytown House Estates, Candela Systems Corporation, Collins Brothers Movers, Eco Bags, Bilinguals, Inc., Best Web, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
- The Summer Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employment Program, a summer jobs program for youth 14-20 from income-eligible families. The program, funded with state money, subsidizes the wages of the youth whose families are receiving pubic assistance or have family income under 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. (For example, for a family of four, this income is $46,100 a year.) Westchester is expected to receive about $300,000 from the state for the program, which will be distributed through contracts to local youth services providers. A list of these agencies will be available at www.westchesterputnamonestop.com as soon as the state makes the funds available. In the interim, businesses may contact Allen Kelley at or Milton David at . at (914) 995-3924.
- The New York Youth Works, a program to provide tax incentives for business that hire youth in New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Yonkers. This new state program provides state tax deductions to businesses that hire a youth (ages 16-24) for six months. In order to participate, interested businesses and youth must become certified by June 30. (Go to: www.jobs.ny.gov/youthworks.) The One-Stop will prepare and refer certified youth to certified businesses that participate in this program. For additional information, businesses may contact Bob Fois at or Milton David at , or call the One-Stop Employment Center at (914) 995-3910.
"As part of the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board, I am pleased to be supportive of these initiatives to assist youth in career advancement," said Putnam County Executive Mary Ellen Odell.
Businesses that have participated in one or more of these programs praised how they work.
"Regeneron had a very positive experience with the summer youth program in 2010, so we were very eager to participate in the program again this year," said Nicole Pizzuo, a staffing specialist for the company. "I encourage other employers to consider taking advantage of this wonderful program."
Mario Mirabella, the owner of MSM Design, said, "I am pleased to say that we are still connected to the candidate after her internship was completed and she returned to work with us on her winter break. I highly recommend any company looking to expand their staff for the summer to look into this excellent program."