Special Education - Transition

The Summer Youth Employment Program

Summer is an exciting time for students interested in working and earning some extra cash. The Summer Youth Employment Program, offered through the Private Industry Council in Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties, provides youth with the opportunity to work approximately 30 hours a week and gain new job skills. To find out if you are eligible to apply for the Summer Youth Program contact your local Workforce Solutions Center in your county.

Student Success

Gloversville senior Jamie Mullaney has successfully participated in the Summer Youth Program for three summers. For the past two summers, Jamie was placed at the Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home. She assisted in the recreational department, working on crafts, playing games and visiting with the patients. Jamie received a letter of recommendation from her supervisor for her dedication and hard work. Her supervisor states that Jamie is welcome to come back in any time.

All the articles on this page are from the April edition of Transition Times. Download a copy here.

School’s out for the summer

Here are some valuable resources

Yes, summer is almost here, and for many of you that means no school for at least a few months. But, if you are looking towards your future and making plans, you may be interested in contacting some people that can help you find a job, plan for college and/or set-up plans for other transition needs.

• Work Force Solutions Center

RiverFront Center
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 842-3676, and
199 South Main Street
Gloversville, NY 12078
(518) 725-6473

Vocational and Educational Services For Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
199 South Main Street
Gloversville, NY 12078
(518) 773-2884

• Transition

HFM BOCES
2755 State Highway 67
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 736-4356

• College Information

Fulton Montgomery Community College
2805 State Highway 67
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 762-4651, Ext. 4760
Ext. 5502 for LD Services

• Supported Employment

Career and Employment Network
1300 RiverFront Center, Lower level
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 842-3172

Employment Resources
199 South Main Street
Gloversville, NY 12078
(518) 773-4646

Making the most out of work

Building a future on work-study opportunities

Work-based learning can be a very powerful teaching method, especially when combined with classroom instruction. Oppenheim-Ephratah student Kevin Cassford benefits from this type of learning by combining the knowledge gained through the Auto Body program at HFM BOCES Career and Technical Center with the real world experience provided by his work-study placement at Paul’s Autobody in Mayfield.

Kevin is responsible for disassembling damaged cars and trucks sent to Paul’s for collision repair. He also prepares auto body surfaces for painting, and maintains the tools and equipment in the shop.

With the cooperation of area businesses, students may participate in part-time work or experience actual work conditions through an internship. This hands-on training experience benefits both students and local employers. Students gain experience while preparing for their careers, and businesses are able to recruit new employees who come to the job better prepared and with stronger skills.

Paul Johnson, owner of Paul’s Auto-body has provided a worksite for HFM BOCES’ School-to-Work program for 10 years. During that time Paul has mentored many students, encouraging them to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.

Megan Lane began working 20 hours a week making salads and parfaits at McDonalds after graduating from Fonda-Fultonville High School in 2007. She now cooks breakfast and lunch items on the grill and has increased her work week to 30 hours. What makes Megan so special is her strong desire to overcome her disability and lead a full and productive life.

Megan says that while she enjoys working on the grill and making sandwiches, what she likes most of all is earning her own money. She is saving to purchase her own car.

Megan works at McDonald’s with support from Career and Employment Network (CEN)’s Supported Employment program.

Megan is making the most of her life both at work and at home. Her job coach and supervisor at McDonald’s agree that Megan is a very good worker, with excellent attendance. Working with many different co-workers and customers in the restaurant has also helped Megan become more outgoing and sociable.

At her parents’ home in Fultonville, she helps her dad, Tim, bake bread and handle the myriad chores associated with operating Glen Glade Farms. Megan cares for the goats, horses, and two dogs at the family’s country home. Megan enjoys horseback riding when she’s not helping in the barn or at the store.

When her job coach asked Megan what she would like to do in the future, she said, “I would like to go to college and either work in childcare or caring for animals.”

Megan already has an excellent start on this ambition, and CEN will provide her the support she needs to help her reach her goal.

Building trades apprentice programs a smart alternative to college for some

If you like the challenge of learning a new skill, and like to earn while you learn, a registered apprentice training program could be for you.

Apprenticeship is the process of learning a skilled occupation through both on-the-job training (practical, paid experience) and learning the related technical knowledge in a classroom.

Apprentices become skilled, motivated craft workers with a strong work ethic, possess the latest technological skills and fill critical needs for skilled workers. After graduating from the program, a journeyperson can receive top pay between $45,000 and $75,000 annually with outstanding health and retirement benefits.

The length of training varies from one to six years. Programs are certified by the New York State Department of Labor and approved by the New York State Education Department. Many programs receive college credit and often will pay for additional courses at a community college.

Local municipalities and school districts know the value of providing youth with the opportunity to secure, good-paying jobs. One success story is the Greater Amsterdam School District. District policy requires all contractors working on school projects to have a NYS Certified Apprentice Program. Through this program, two Amsterdam graduates were able to secure work in their own school district.

The Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council has partnerships with hundreds of local contractors and represents more than 15,000 workers in the Capital Region.

Generally to qualify, an applicant must be 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or G.E.D., and have reliable transportation.

Some trades accept applications weekly while some only take applications every two years. Each trade’s requirements and recruitments
are posted on the NYSDOL website: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/pressreleases/apprenticeshiparchive.

Job tours offer close-up view of work

Through a BOCES MTP grant, Tanya Grant, the Private Industry Council’s Youth Employment Counselor, has arranged tours of local businesses and job sites for area high school students. These tours and individual job shadowing opportunities help students learn about jobs, what education and work skills are needed to work at various positions, and techniques to help them apply for the job they want.

Six students from Mayfield’s life skills class toured Wal-Mart where they attended an employee meeting.

Broadalbin-Perth took 20 students to Quad Graphics in Saratoga where they toured the factory and saw a slide show on how the business developed and has progressed. Their guide also detailed the current job positions at Quad Graphics and explained the process of applying.

Nathan Littauer Hospital hosted 11 students from Johnstown High School. They visited many different departments and even got to see how lab tests were processed. Students asked about the levels of education needed to work in each department.

Gloversville and Broadalbin students benefited from a tour at Lowe’s. Students met a representative in every department and watched a short video on how to apply for a job. Store manager Jason Bink spoke about the importance of appearance, resumes, hand shakes, and the job application process.

Six Mayfield students toured the Taylor Made facilities. They saw the entire factory and learned how the machines were operated and their function.

In addition to group tours, individual students have shadowed employees at All Breed’s Grooming, NLH Extended Care, Agway, Bishop Burk Catering, Meco Head Start classroom, and Market Street Pizza. Job shadowing gives students an individualized experience in the workplace that aligns to their particular needs and interests.

Through generosity of local businesses, these activities give students exposure to the world of work. They learn all the facets of employment, from the process of being hired for a job, through the daily working routine, to becoming a retiree.

Transition program receives Target grant

Recently, Model Transition Program staff were awarded an $800 grant from Target to facilitate student field trips to local businesses. The grant supports Fulton County high school students visiting places of employment to see the jobs available locally and experience different aspects of the world of work.

The grant, which concludes in June, is part of Target’s Field Trip Grant Program that provides educational support to local communities.

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