Picente Kicks Off 2025 Oneida County Youth Employment Program

Several hundred Oneida County teenagers took their first step toward their future careers today at the Oneida County Summer Youth Employment Program’s (SYEP) Work Readiness Day.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program is a chance for local at-risk youth to seize a new opportunity and move toward a prosperous future,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., who spoke at Monday’s kickoff event at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. “Our program places these youth at hands-on sites to develop teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills, and prepares them to become productive employees with thriving careers.”

The SYEP provides youth ages 14-18 with real-world work experience. This year, approximately 450 youth will be placed at work sites around the county to beautify parks and recreation centers, plant community gardens and help operate community programs serving children.

Picente was joined Monday by Assemblymembers Brian Miller and Marianne Buttenschon; SYEP Co-Director and former MVCC Student Trustee Hanadi Tajir; MVCC Assistant Vice President of Learning and Academic Affairs School of STEM - Transfer Education Jake Mihevc and Oneida County Workforce Development Director David Mathis. A representative of the Utica Police Department also attended.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program teaches our young adults the skills they need to succeed at work,” Picente said. “We know that there is more to success that goes beyond the workplace. We want to send the message to our youth that what leads to success at work also leads to success in life.”

Work sites for the program include Adirondack Central School, 50 Forward Mohawk Valley, Johnson Park Center, Municipal Housing Authority in Utica, Resource Center for Independent Living and Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency.

Most youth in the program work between 15 and 20 hours per week over four to six weeks. To be eligible, youths must be between the ages of 14 and 18 and meet certain income criteria

“These jobs will expand the opportunities for our youth and allow them to gain valuable work experience as they prepare for future employment,” Picente added. “Summer work helps these young people increase their knowledge, skills and confidence as they contemplate their own career paths.”

Mathis said that the Summer Youth Employment Program fills a vital niche for teens who would not otherwise have the opportunity to work.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program provides young people with meaningful work experience and also helps them earn money their families can use. This program makes a difference in the lives of the teenagers who will be the backbone of our community and our workforce,” he said.

SYEP is funded through New York State.