Urban Youth Jobs/New York Youth Jobs Program

The Urban Youth Jobs/New York Youth Jobs Program encourages businesses to hire unemployed, disadvantaged youth ages 16-24 who live in New York State. Originally designed to serve youth in the cities of Albany, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Utica, White Plains, Yonkers, Brookhaven and Hempstead, former Governor Cuomo and the legislature re-authorized the program in 2014.

Due to the success of the program in the initial target cities and towns, former Governor Cuomo proposed an additional $50 million in funding to businesses hiring youth across the state as part of his 2016 Executive Budget.

For the initial target cities, $30 million is available annually through 2017 and $20 million has been allocated for youth that reside outside one of the designated target areas.

Program Elements

For Businesses

For 2016, businesses can earn tax credits of up to $5,000 for eligible youth starting work between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Your business must be certified to participate in the program.

For Youth

This program helps makes it easier for youth to find a job and career training path. Getting certified for the program is a snap—see below for details.

Eligibility

To participate in the program, young people must be 16 to 24 years old, live in New York State and be unemployed. Businesses must be in good standing and located in New York State.

Find Out More

Helping Businesses Hire Young People

Business Tax Credit

Find out if your business is eligible to qualify for the tax credit.

Youth Participants

The Urban Youth Jobs Program is here to help you get a job and succeed at that job.

Confirmation of Hire

Click here to confirm the hires of certified youth with the NYS Department of Labor.

Resources

Department of Labor Contact

What People Are Saying

Former Governor

Andrew Cuomo

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In every corner of this state, we are taking aggressive action to restore economic opportunity and social progress by creating jobs, and the Bronx is at the forefront of this effort. From the Unemployment Strikeforce to the Urban Youth Jobs program we are making smart investments to tackle unemployment in communities where it is most pervasive, and connect tomorrow's workers with the skills they need to succeed in a 21st century workplace.

Andrew Cuomo

New York State Assembly Speaker

Carl Heastie

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The Assembly Majority has always worked hard to expand access to economic opportunities for those who have struggled to enter and remain in the workforce. We have made great strides in building bridges to higher education and through our longstanding support of programs like Summer Youth and the New York Youth Works Tax Credit, thousands of disadvantaged individuals have gained the foothold they need to climb the ladder of success.

Carl Heastie

Bronx Borough President

Ruben Diaz Jr.

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Since becoming Borough President, unemployment has been cut by more than half, and our workforce participation rate is higher than ever before. We are helping thousands of teenagers and young adults find productive jobs that not only bolster their resumes as well as help expand and add skill-sets they will need down the road as they advance in their careers, while also keeping them off of the streets and out of trouble.

Ruben Diaz Jr.

New York State Senator

José Serrano

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The Urban Youth Jobs Program is a common sense solution that benefits all stakeholders, with both community members and businesses owners reaping the rewards. By providing incentives to businesses to hire disadvantaged Bronx youth, this program equips future workers with the skills and experience they need to succeed.

José Serrano