Riverhead, NY - October 6, 2015 - Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker’s resolution to establish a School Employment Resource Tour (SERT) was unanimously approved at the Oct. 6 General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature.
The SERT program aims to address current unemployment concerns and focuses on job resources for young adults by spotlighting Suffolk County’s One Stop Job Center. The center, operated by Suffolk County’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs, provides numerous services for residents in search of employment including: assistance with job placement, resume creation, computer software training, job fairs, career overview workshops, use of phone, fax and computer equipment, and professional clothing for those in need.
Legislature Anker will work with the Rocky Point School District to create a pilot program for high school seniors, who will have the opportunity to tour the center and take advantage of the center’s job resources. The tour program will create a framework for all Suffolk County school districts to implement the program into their curricula for graduating seniors.
“With the current rate of young adults leaving Long Island due to lack of jobs, I have directed county resources to assist our young adults in finding employment. Whether they’re looking for a part-time job at the time, a full-time job when they graduate, or just the security of knowing that there are resources for future employment, I want every high school senior to have the ability to visit the center and know that the county has resources in their search for employment,” said Legislator Anker. “Not only will students benefit from the tours, but their parents will have the opportunity to learn about the center, too. The One Stop Job Center puts our hard-earned tax dollars to good use in providing direction for unemployed residents. It is one of Suffolk County’s best-kept secrets and we need to get the word out.”
The SERT program was recommended by the Jobs Opportunity Board (JOB) initiative, a committee Legislator Anker created to address young adult employment opportunities. The board, consisting of college representatives and business professionals, provided insight in taking proactive measures to address Long Island’s issue of young adults leaving Long Island, known as the “brain drain.”
“As a school district we are grateful to Legislator Anker for once again working to extend important county resources to benefit our students and community,” said Dr. Ring, superintendent of the Rocky Point School District. “Through this initiative our students, both those seeking to enter the workforce immediately following graduation and those seeking part-time employment while continuing their education, will be able to avail themselves to a wealth of resources to enhance their employment opportunities.”