The Erie County Department of Social Services (“ECDSS”) is currently recruiting employers throughout Erie County to participate in the 2018 Summer Youth Employment Program (“SYEP”), an eight-week program operating from July 9, 2018 - August 31, 2018 that serves youth between the ages of 14 – 20. The SYEP program is an important platform to introduce youth into the workforce and help them acquire skills that can be used to improve school performance and help expand educational and career goals. Having a variety of worksites for potential youth employment is critical to the success of the program.

 “The Summer Youth Employment Program gives our youth an opportunity to enter the working world with an employer who understands that they are just beginning and need to learn the ropes. It’s more than just an employer-employee relationship, it’s a chance for young workers to learn about what’s expected every day from seasoned employees,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Marie Cannon. “The SYEP teaches skills that businesses value and that will serve the youth throughout their lives, so we encourage local companies to join us and share their knowledge and expertise as we help train the next generation of workers.”

The SYEP pays the youth’s wages at the current minimum wage rate of $10.40/hr. and youth are covered under the SYEP community agency’s liability insurance policy and Workers’ Compensation. In addition to being placed at a worksite, participants will be attending training classes promoting job readiness, career exploration, financial literacy, life-skills development, and opportunities to continue education and social growth. Youth are expected to follow the same work routine and procedures that a regular employee would follow related to attendance, breaks, attire, job expectations, behavior, feedback and correction, and if necessary, disciplinary procedures.

Employers interested in providing opportunities for youth placements through the SYEP should contact Donna Robb of the Erie County Department of Social Services Employment Division by calling (716) 858-4584 or emailing Donna.Robb@erie.gov.

For more information:

About the Summer Youth Employment Program, visit www.erie.gov/syep

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