LOCAL YOUTH IN NEED OF JOBS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE URBAN YOUTH JOBS PROGRAM
Brooklyn, NY (Wednesday, July 22, 2015) – Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT), one of New York City’s leading youth workforce development providers, hosted an employment fair for current and past participants of its job training and education programs, in partnership with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). The event was held at OBT’s location in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn at 25 Thornton Street. Youth attendees could participate in mock interviews with both OBT’s and the NYSDOL employment staff before meeting prospective employers face to face at the on-site job fair.
One young adult, Bobby Johnson, who searching for a job at the fair said, “I think the job fair was a great success. I wanted to come today so I could practice my interview skills and meet employers. I got a lot of information and I can’t wait to go fill out applications so I can get a job in sales.”
The twenty employers who participated in today’s event, which marked the re-launch of the Governor Cuomo’s Urban Youth Jobs Program in Brooklyn, are able to receive a tax credit for every young adult, ages 16-24, that they hire. The employers including Aurify Brands, Avondale Care Group, Concerned Home Managers for the Elderly, Liberty Tax Services, Time Warner Cable, Imacuclean, Fresh Direct, New York City Fire Department, and Ovation In-Store, were hiring for a wide range of positions and experience levels. All youth in attendance at today’s event were enrolled in New York State Department of Labor’s Urban Youth Jobs program allowing them to access job seeker services and opportunities through the state.
“The Department of Labor is proud to administer Governor Cuomo’s Urban Youth Jobs Program,” said Acting Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino. “The Governor has recognized that this is an underserved population and this program can help young men and women kick start their careers.”
Randy Peers, Chief Executive Officer of OBT said, “OBT applauds the Governor and the NYS Department of Labor for their positive support around employing opportunity youth. When tax credits are coupled with thoughtful employers with an interest in hiring young people, it’s a win-win for both the City and State.”
One of the employers who attended the event, Larry Scott Blackmon, Vice President of Communications for Fresh Direct said, “We love partnering with Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow to hire candidates for Fresh Direct. It’s a great program and we look forward to partnering with them more in the future.”
All youth who participated in the event are current or past participants of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow’s job training and education programs which work with “opportunity youth” – youth who are not in school nor working to help them finish their educations and move into the workforce and/or go on to college. Since 1983, OBT has helped thousands of youth across New York City recognize their own self-worth, and advance towards self-sufficiency and financial security through job training, academic reinforcement, improved life skills, job placement, and support services.
CONTACT: Baxter Townsend, Communications Associate, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow btownsend@obtjobs.org (718) 369-0303
