A Knock-Out Internship Program Launches at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

For 24 years Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) has been successfully providing job training to out-of-school youth ages 17 to 24. This fall, OBT is launching a new program that will provide businesses across the city with well-trained interns at no cost.

The program, called Opportunity Knocks, is design to serve the most job-ready young adults through short-term paid internships, job placement and follow-up services. It is funded by the Center for Economic Opportunity and the Department of Youth and Community Development through the Young Adult Internship Program initiative.

“Too often not having work experience can be a barrier to employment for young adults. Opportunity Knocks will provide a unique mix of experience and training that will help young adults set their careers in motion,” said Randy Peers, Executive Director of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow.

How it works: Young adults will begin an orientation on October 29 that includes three weeks of unpaid, part-time business skills training. If the young adult is a good fit for the program, they will advance to three additional weeks of paid, intensive business skills training.

“The training includes computer skills, business etiquette, financial literacy, and public speaking”, according to Sarah Otero, Counselor of Opportunity Knocks program. “The program reinforces the written business communication skills, relationship building, critical thinking, research skills, and interviewing techniques, that are necessary skills on the job”.

Following training, candidates are placed in internships throughout the five boroughs. Four days a week they will gain real work experience at their internship sites. One day a week they return to Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow for additional training and support.

By the end of the 17-week program, participants will have the skills they need to help launch their careers. OBT’s service model is unique among youth programs due to its comprehensive scope of training and its emphasis on personal discipline and professionalism.

Young adults and employers can apply to participate in this new initiative by calling 1-866-O-KNOCKS (656-6257). Training takes place at OBT Williamsburg, located at 25 Thornton Street in Brooklyn. The site is easily accessible via the J, M or G train or the B15, B40, B43, B46 or B57 bus line. Internships may take place in any one of New York City’s five boroughs, and our goal will always be to find the perfect fit for both young adults and employers.

(OBT Official Press Relelase: 10/2007)