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Richard S. Brothers, Commissioner of the NH Department of Employment Security (NHDES) initiated a statewide program in March 2006 focusing on youth, called the NH Youth Employment Service (YES!) Project. The Commissioner's goal is to assist high school seniors who may be entering employment upon graduation from high school. Students, teachers, guidance counselors, supportive service agencies and providers of youth initiatives and employers have welcomed and embraced the program.
In March 2006, the Commissioner held a press conference in the Concord NHDES/NH WORKS office to encourage high schools, students and employers to participate in the YES! program. Area students and high school representatives were in attendance, as well as a member of the Governor's Executive Council.
The program taps into the labor pool that youth can provide to New Hampshire employers by increasing the connection between employers in high growth occupations/industries and high school students. Brothers stated that due to the funding shortfall, face-to-face outreach can be difficult because of the number of schools and the size of the student population. He stated, "Seniors about to graduate need to know they can visit the local office in their area and get help with good employment opportunities right in their own backyard. We are the connection to those opportunities."
Brothers stated, "I asked each of our 13 local offices to work on this initiative by developing their own individual projects, focusing on ways to assist young people who will graduate and enter the labor force in lieu of entering college or the military. Starting in March means we can be in full swing come September. These graduates will be the base of our economy in the future and we need to be proactive in ensuring they are given information, resources and tools to take advantage of their best opportunities. My offices are working with other NH WORKS One-Stop partner agencies as well as guidance counselors and student advisors to develop demand driven youth programs-responsive to students, teachers, guidance counselors, and employers in their labor market areas."
Brothers encouraged teachers and employers to contact their nearest office to assist youth with the information needed to make informed choices. Brothers explained that in September the offices would be ready to put their plans in full swing.
He stated, "We are saying "YES!" to these graduating seniors by encouraging visits to their local office, before they graduate." Brothers emphasized that each office would like to hear from employers who will hire/train graduates as well as offer job shadowing for students.
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