Martha Ponge, Director of Apprenticeship
In response to a question about how to hire skilled workers, MACNY’s Director of Apprenticeship, Martha Ponge states simply, “Open your doors.” It turns out that the entreaty applies to youth as well.
Through her involvement with NYATEP (New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals), Ponge has acquainted herself with the benefits of youth summer employment.
A visit to the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) website reveals exciting information about the number of participants (over half of the 33 that submitted profiles) that were offered their first jobs after summer employment experiences. Another indicator of success is the increasing number of worksites offering summer youth employment since SYEP started tracking such information seven years ago.
Martha was recently chosen for NYATEP’s 11th cohort of its Workforce Policy and Advocacy Academy. This program takes participants through the legislative and budgetary processes at the federal, state, and local levels; describes the nuance of advocacy and appropriate timing; provides concrete tools to integrate advocacy into their day to day work; or set a larger agency vision.
“Work-based learning experiences are critical for today’s students to become tomorrow’s workforce,” advocates Ponge. “The commitment of employers to this kind of exposure ensures the continued strength and sustainability of employment in New York State.”
And our youth come to understand that there are great careers awaiting them right here at home.
For more information on how your worksite can become more involved in workforce development, email Eileen Donovan at [email protected].