The Tompkins County Youth Employment Council, a sub-committee of the Workforce Investment Board is launching a new program to expose more youth to basic expectations they will have to meet in their first jobs.  If you are familiar with the Red Cross’s “Babysitting Certificate”, then you can relate to this idea.  The babysitting class has been popular with youth because parents ask potential babysitters if they have taken the course.  We are trying to start a new initiative to award students with a “Worker Readiness” certification.  Students who complete training will get a certificate that will entitle them to a stamp (see logo above) on their working papers.  Employers will ask for / recognize the stamp and will prefer to hire these candidates.  What does the course cover?  The course covers topics that relate to basic work skills / employer expectations.  We will cover 7 skill areas including topics like: proper attire, timeliness, commitment to a work schedule and considering the company’s perspective.  How can I help?  We need employers who are willing to display a promotional poster aimed at high school aged workers.  We need employers who are willing to sign on as “participating employers” and have their name listed on the poster.  Participating employers would give preference, (all things being equal) to well-qualified teens who also have the certification, and they would ask for the certification from youth that they interview.  Employers can also encourage youth they currently employ to participate.  Who do I contact?  To request more information, a copy of the poster, or to comment: contact our committee member, Nancy Zook nzook@tompkins-co.org or (607) 274-5310 or visit ww.tc3.edu/techprep