Programs & Services for Youth



Youth Summer Employment - WIA and TANF
This service offers youth the opportunity to earn money, develop work skills, and try out different occupations at numerous work sites throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Youth work for 6 - 8 weeks, 25 - 30 hours per week during the summer months, with CNY Works paying the wages of the youth.

Summer Enrichment Days
Youth ages 16 and older who participate in summer youth employment gather together with others from different areas of the city and county to explore such issues as conflict resolution, life skills, job retention, and cultural awareness.

Career Paths to Success
Program participants are exposed to career and educational opportunities. Classes in Career Exploration, Human Adjustment and/or College Reading are taught on the Onondaga Community College campus. College credit is awarded to those who successfully complete the program. There are two sessions per year - spring and summer.

Gear Up
CNY Works collaborates with Syracuse University to provide an individualized program for non-graduating students from the Syracuse City School District GEAR UP cohort, assisting them to meet the New York State Educational Standards for graduation.

Syracuse Pro Challenge
CNY Works collaborates with Syracuse University on the Skills for Success Program, which is designed to help youth develop the skills that are highly prized by employers. Participants are coached by a Syracuse University undergraduate to learn the skills all employers and colleges want.

Lockheed-Martin Work Experience
CNY Works collaborates with Lockheed-Martin in the “Reaching for the Stars” student apprentice program. Youth participate in a structured cooperative educational/work program, with CNY Works paying the wages and Lockheed-Martin providing meaningful assignments, supervision and mentoring.

Money Smart
CNY Works collaborates with Syracuse Cooperative FCU and Americorps VISTA to train youth in the handling of money. This includes starting a savings account, how to budget their money and begin saving. They have a class on understanding their credit and using credit wisely. They will learn what to know before buying a car, how to move out of their parents' house and consumer rights and responsibilities. They even have a class on investment accounts and how they can begin saving money for the future ahead of them.

Lifeguard Training
Participants are trained and certified to be lifeguards. Upon completion of certification, youth are employed in the City of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department.

Employer Incentive Program
The purpose of this program is to provide employer based training and work experience for youth ages 16-21. CNY Works pays the youth trainee the prevailing wage for up to ten weeks. The employer interviews youth referred by CNY Works and decides whom to employ. CNY Works pays the youth trainee the prevailing wage for up to ten weeks. The employer agrees to retain the trainee on their own payroll after the ten-week work experience is successfully completed. CNY Works provides support and follow-up to both the employer and the employee.

Youth Employment Connection
This is an annual county-wide event hosted by CNY Works to help local business showcase their employment opportunities to the emerging worker. The event is usually held in the spring at a centralized convenient location.
Businesses also recruit young adults at the Employer Opportunity Fairs held at our Franklin Center location.

Businesses for Youth
This program provides workforce development services for youth, including:

  • workforce orientation and preparation
  • employer/employee job matching services in private sector work experiences
  • job referrals based on the needs of both the employer and the young adult
  • counseling, support and follow up services by an Employment Specialist


Click here for the referral form for our Partnership for Youth program, to be completed and mailed by the referring agency. Note: this is not a referral for the summer program.