Next Gen Career Academy Elevates Local Youth

The newest program of The Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Development Center is the Next Gen Career Academy. Led by program coordinator, Cecilia Gonzalez, the Next Gen Career Academy is a paid internship program, which provides 11th and 12th-grade Dutchess County high school students with paid work experience in an area of interest. Students are paid an hourly rate to engage in work experience that resonates with them. The entire internship is 45 hours in total, and can be completed at the pace of the student, based on their availability. Throughout the program, the interns engage in workshops, life skills training, and job-related training. Workshops include financial literacy, resume building, goal setting, and other career development workshops that promote professionalism and work readiness training.

Five Poughkeepsie high school students have successfully completed the internship thus far, with one student obtaining a full-time position upon completion of the internship at their site. The Next Gen internship program not only services Poughkeepsie youth but has also recruited students from Dover and Wappingers as well, with the hope of branching out into more areas of Dutchess County. 

Many of the interns have shown interest in the childcare field and successfully completed their internships with Healthy Kids Preschool, right here in Poughkeepsie. Interns held the position of Teacher Assistant and learned what it takes to run a classroom safely and how to support students through transitions. The Next Gen Career Academy not only supports students through their work experience but offers support based on individual needs as well. Should a student have other needs that might hinder them from completing the internship, such as transportation, suitable clothing, or hygiene needs (haircut, etc.), the program can provide support. 

The Next Gen Career Academy is a program that will elevate youth and prepare them for the workforce. This is an experience that builds up youth and increases confidence as they become working members of society. This program assists youth not only in building work experience, but also helps them as they navigate what career path they want to take. 

If you would like to find out more information about the program, please contact the Workforce Development Center at (845) 454-1700 x1024.

Photo caption: Photo caption: Ziona Osei-Gyimah, recent graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, and first graduate from the Next Gen Career Academy. Ziona is also an award recipient of the Chamber Foundation’s Linda & Steven Lant Scholarship.