Leaders incentivize businesses to hire youth this summer

SYRACUSE — If area businesses and nonprofits can provide teenagers and young adults with jobs and experience this summer, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon are offering funding and resources.

Walsh and McMahon have asked area employers to help young people find work this summer through the City-County Summer Youth Employment program. 

Employment sites can hire young people between the ages of 16 and 20 to work on-site, remotely, or a combination of both. Employer costs to hire young adults for these summer-work experiences can be fully funded through this city and county partnership. CNY Works will manage all payroll and related costs — including employment preparation requirements for these short-term, temporary paid-work assignments. Participants must live in Syracuse or elsewhere in Onondaga County and must meet income-eligibility requirements.

Prior to the pandemic, Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse had grown the number of young people participating in the City-County Summer Youth Employment program to more than 1,200. Concerns over COVID-19 last summer put most youth hiring on hold. 

The county and the city want to get the program “back on track,” but currently face a “shortfall” of worksites and hundreds of jobs.

“COVID restrictions have had a devastating impact on our youth. They need our help this summer,” Walsh said. “We’re asking employers in the public and private sector to join the Summer Youth Employment program now and provide working experience and opportunities to our teenagers and young adults this summer. A summer job can change the trajectory of a young person’s life and set them on a path to success.”

McMahon added, “It’s a win-win for employers and the community. Through the assistance of New York State, we have funding available to help employers pay for these positions, and our youth gain invaluable skills. All of us have been worried about the short and long-term impact of the pandemic on our young people. This is a way to help them have a more productive summer and prepare for a successful future.”

For more employer information or to participate in the program, those interested can contact Amy Stage, workforce manager at CNY Works, at (315) 477-6937 or email: astage@cnyworks.com.