Thirty-four youth who spent their summers working through Warren County’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) were celebrated Friday, August 9th with a picnic for the roles they served in the county’s workforce!
All of the youth workers were recognized during an annual picnic luncheon at East Field in Glens Falls that brought together workers as well as representatives of the employers who hosted them. They were praised for effort, punctuality, perfect attendance and other qualities they displayed during their time helping the SYEP program.
Workers were singled out by program organizers with Warren County Department of Workforce Development for showing five employability skills - responsibility, respect, communication, perseverance and teamwork.
Ashley C., 16, of Queensbury was honored as "Employee of the Summer" for consistently showing all five skills while working at World Awareness Children's Museum, her second year at the museum! She is pictured with Warren County Workforce Development staffers Liza Ochsendorf, Denise Yannaci and Andrea Kinderman.
The youth, ages 14 to 20, were from seven different Warren County communities, and placed at 19 municipal, non-profit and business job sites around Warren County (10 private businesses, 6 public entities and 3 non-profits).
Also honored were:
Perseverance – AJ V. (Black Walnut Books)
Communication – Hannah M. (Stephenson Lumber)
Teamwork – Corey R. (Warren County IT)
Respect – Allen L. (The Queensbury Hotel)
Responsibility – Brandan K. (Lake George Escape Campground)
They persevered through a hot summer and greatly helped many employers and workplaces that have dealt with historic workforce challenges in recent years.
Twelve, more than a third of the program workers, were presented awards Friday for perfect attendance through the summer!
Ochsendorf praised the efforts of Warren County Employment & Training Administration employees who spent their summers preparing the youth for their jobs, driving throughout the county to conduct site visits and observe the workers in action, and providing both the employee and the employer with the support to ensure the success of the youth workers.
State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and members of the Warren County Board of Supervisors were among those on hand for the picnic and awards.
For more information on the program and other programs offered by Warren County Employment and Training Administration, go to https://thejoblink.org/.