Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the New York (NY) Youth Works program to combat the unacceptably high unemployment rates among inner city youth in communities across New York. "With unemployment at over 40 percent among youth in our inner cities, New York must stand up and make sure our young people are a central part of our state's economic recovery," Governor Cuomo said. "To rebuild New York, we must invest in the next generation of New Yorkers and give our young people opportunities to grow and succeed.  This program will bring together government and the private sector to join forces and make a lasting impact on families, communities, and our state's economy."

 

The NY Youth Works Program includes $25 million in tax credits for businesses to hire unemployed and disadvantaged youth ages 16 to 24 who live in the following 12 areas of New York State:  

• Cities of Albany
• Buffalo
• New York
• Rochester
• Schenectady
• Syracuse
• Mount Vernon
• New Rochelle
• Utica
• Yonkers
• Town of Brookhaven
• Town of Hempstead  

The program also provides $8 million to the New York State Department of Labor to:

1. Recruit and assist youth to become certified for the New York Youth Works Program;  AND
2. Prepare certified youth for employment by providing them with:
• Work readiness training (up to eight weeks) as measured by the National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC) and occupational skills training designed to provide technical skills and information required to perform a specific job or group of jobs;
• Testing for the NWRC;
• Job placement services with certified businesses, including: career exploration and occupational assessment; resume preparation; job matching and referral; interview preparation; and follow-up and workplace mentoring; and       
• A stipend to cover costs of transitioning into the workforce (e.g., daycare, clothing and transportation).

This funding is available through three solicitations to fund for-profit or not-for-profit organizations, including a community based organizations, a target Town or City, or a County that contains or is part of one of the twelve target areas.  

• Placement Program #T-1 Request for Applications (RFA) - Funding up to $50,000 to provide job matching and placement services to their current population of work-ready youth (i.e., students who already completed or are about to complete work readiness and occupational training).
• Training and Placement Program #T-2 RFA - Funding up to $50,000 to provide work readiness and occupational skills training and then place youth with certified businesses.     
• Training and Placement Program #T-3 Request for Proposals (RFP) - Funding between $50,000 - $200,000 to provide work readiness and occupational skills training and then place youth with certified businesses.

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Learn more about the NY Youth Works Program. 

 

Learn more about NY Youth Works funding opportunities.