Digital Skills for Youth is an innovative program that trains in and out of school youth in technology and business, and then provides them with paid internships at local companies.  

The initiative from RochesterWorks, Inc., in conjunction with New York Wired for Education, local school districts and businesses, is also supported by a grant from NY State Senator Joe Robach. RochesterWorks! supports the internships by providing funding to companies for the intern’s wages.

This year the program provided technical certification to 36 youth ages 15-21, who independently completed a rigorous online curriculum over a six-week period.   After becoming certified the youth are participating in 120-hour paid summer internships held at 21 participating Monroe County employers. The businesses also provide worksite experiences and mentoring.

RochesterWorks staff also provide a three-week Peer Networking Support Group for the youth.  The hour and a half session provides career focused positive youth development, social and emotional support during their internship.

Kenny Joyner, age 17, was placed at Rochester RazorSharks.  Kenny said, “Being in the office makes me feel important, like I’m helping the team in my own way. I like researching different places that we can go in the community and promote the RazorSharks and then helping make the promotional flyers that we actually use.” 

Chris Iversen, Kenny Joyner’s supervisor from the Rochester RazorSharks, said, “Kenny has been doing great. He shows up early for work and does a great job. He has even been coming and working out with the team at 7 a.m. on top of his other duties.” 

Adele Kibasumba, age 19, was placed at The Gleason Works. Adele said, “I’ve been helping the engineering department, and more specifically the engineering director, compare blueprints about order specifications and making sure the right parts get ordered. I really like what I’m doing here and in the program.”

Find out more about Digital Skills for Youth. Call 258-3500.