Updated
Updated · Rome Sentinel · Jun 29
Oneida County Launches 2026 Youth Jobs Program for 450 Teens, Adding AI Literacy Class
Updated
Updated · Rome Sentinel · Jun 29

Oneida County Launches 2026 Youth Jobs Program for 450 Teens, Adding AI Literacy Class

3 articles · Updated · Rome Sentinel · Jun 29

Summary

  • 450 income-eligible youth ages 14 to 18 gathered at Mohawk Valley Community College on June 29 as Oneida County formally kicked off its 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program.
  • The state-funded program places teens at worksites across the county—including parks, recreation centers, schools and community agencies—for summer jobs tied to work-readiness training.
  • MVCC is adding an artificial intelligence literacy class this year, aimed at teaching participants the benefits, risks and practical use of AI.
  • County Executive Anthony Picente and local leaders used the launch to urge teens to network, show up on time, manage their paychecks wisely and treat the jobs as a path to future careers.

Insights

Can youth employment initiatives like this one truly help reverse Upstate New York's population decline?
Beyond a summer paycheck, how does this program actually alter a teen's long-term career path?