Seneca Nation Training and Employment Resource Center needs your help!
The summer youth employment program needs your assistance to introduce youth to some key elements of the world of work success: attendance and punctuality, speaking and listening, accepting direction and criticism, solving problems, and taking initiative.
The summer employment program also helps reinforce the importance of academic skill so youth can see the relevance of the assignments they do in the classroom and it’s relevance in the jobs they are interested in. The Seneca Nation has so many opportunities for these students as some of them are still trying to figure out what career path they would like to choose.
The placement of youth in your department/business can open their eyes to the different career opportunities withing your department or business that may not see otherwise. Placements in your department/business is so critical for the success of our youth. The youth need to learn that everyone starts at the bottom, but not everyone stays there if they really want to work.
We need to always model respectful communication and appropriate boundaries; create opportunities for the young people to observe and learn professional behaviors.
If your placement’s performance diminishes over time, check in to see if the student is bored or is not sure how to do the work. It’s important to have someone be the primary supervisor/mentor for your placement and who meets regularly with them. You will want to clearly address workplace rules such as appropriate dress attire, phone usage, text messaging, as well as workplace policies and procedures. It is equally important to allow time for the young person to discuss his or her expectations.
Be mindful that some young people may have disabilities that can show up in some of their behaviors. For example, a person with ADHD may have a hard time sitting for a lengthy period of time. By simply allowing them to take a short walk in the hall can go a long way.
It is up to the individual to disclose any disability they may have but just letting them know you are there to work with them makes a big difference. Let’s work together to make a positive experience for both you and the youth. If you can help us to make your Nation’s departments and businesses shine and provide a positive experience for our youth, please reach out to our Youth Service Coordinators so they can get you the necessary paperwork to you.
Allegany Territory: Patti Brisley
3674 Administration Drive, Salamanca, NY 14779 | Phone: (716) 945-8120
Cattaraugus Territory: Patrice John
23 Thomas Indian School Drive Irving, NY 14081 | Phone: (716) 532-1033
