Governor Hochul visits Capital Region Summer Youth Employment Program Participants

Last week, the Capital Region received a special visit from Governor Hochul in support of the administration's recent $56 million investment in Summer Youth Employment Programs (SYEP).

The Albany-based business RADIX Ecological & Sustainability Center is currently employing eight regional SYEP participants in a hands-on program focused on running a microgreens operation. The young adults working onsite are learning about the soil cycle and developing key skills to cultivate plants — from seeding and transplanting into beds to planting and harvesting microgreens. Training also includes proper farm tool use, weeding, and maintaining a chicken coop and fish pond. In addition, participants are exposed to a weekly farm shares bookkeeping process. The goal of the SYEP program is to engage youth in discussions that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the environment and teamwork. Healthy eating and the importance of exercise are also emphasized.

NYATEP's Past Board President and Executive Director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board, Brian Williams, was on hand, along with many local dignitaries including County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and Assistant Director for Business Services Tim Drawbridge.

Thank you, Governor, for recognizing the hard work and dedication required to make SYEP programming a success. In the Capital Region, over 1,200 teens are working in SYEP programs at more than 240 businesses, with $1.8 million in wages going directly into youth workers’ pockets. Building tomorrow’s workforce TODAY through strong job readiness training programs like SYEP!

**images courtesy of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board and Gov. Hochul's social media outlets.