County Seeks Employers To Join Youth Jobs Program

The Rockland County Youth Bureau is seeking employers from the private sector, local government and not-for-profit agencies to participate in the 2010 Youth Employment Program. 

Rockland County employers willing to hire young people through the program will receive benefits including hiring enthusiastic, hard-working employees and being reimbursed 50 percent of their salaries, according to County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.  

Vanderhoef has appropriated $230,000 in the Youth Bureau's 2010 budget for a year-round Youth Employment Program, which prepares eligible young people between the ages of 14 and 18 for the world of work.  In its 17^th year, the program offers pre-employment job training, work-based learning experiences and job placement.  Applicants are highly motivated young people from the community and will come to your agency having completed a mandatory four-day pre-employment training series developed and conducted by the Youth Bureau in conjunction with Rockland Community College.

"The Youth Employment Program offers a wonderful opportunity for Rockland employers, especially during summer months when staff is minimal," said Vanderhoef.  "Businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations have the opportunity to increase work staff at a fraction of the usual cost, and the young people in our community gain knowledge and experience for a successful future."

All youth participants are paid the minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.  Organizations wishing to participate will be reimbursed 50% of the minimum wage rate for up to a maximum of 25 hours per week during the summer program.  The summer program will run from July 4 through Aug. 28.  The program will continue into the fall (Aug. 29 – Dec. 31) with reimbursement for up to 10 hours per week, for each young person hired.

For more information about becoming an employer through this program, call the Youth Bureau's Marianne McCarney-Haesche or Pete Montanez at 845-638-5166.