Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Officials with Cherokee Nation’s Career Services have announced the start of their summer Supplemental Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The program helps low-income youth aged 14 to 21 gain hands-on summer work experience while working at a full-time position.According to Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, the program helps Cherokee teens and young adults begin early to acquire the skills and training they need to find good full-time jobs when they are ready.
“We want to create and help students achieve high expectations. We want to create in students the awareness that they can begin to learn to support their families and help rebuild the Cherokee Nation through what they learn in this program this summer,” Smith said.
Program officials try to fit jobs to students’ specific future career goals, with applicants being placed in both public- and private-sector jobs. Many participants are placed in jobs in the clerical or landscaping fields, Cherokee Nation health clinics, Indian Health Service facilities, schools, state and county agencies and state parks and recreation departments. Employers are eager to take as many SYEP students as Cherokee Nation can provide.
“Companies will take as many of our students as they can get, since our students prove themselves when they get on the job,” said Larry D. Ketcher, director of employment and training for Cherokee Nation’s Career Services.
Applications are still being accepted to participate in the program. Applicants must live within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdiction, meet Department of Labor eligibility criteria, be between 18 and 21 years of age and belong to a federally recognized tribe.
Applicants ages 16 to 21 will be given priority for employment placement, while applicants ages 14 and 15 will be given priority for participating in basic skills classes. Those applicants who are 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the application process.
The basic skills class teaches the fundamentals of math, reading, money management and basic rules of job etiquette. These students are also required to complete community projects.
To apply for the basic skills class, contact one of the following Cherokee Nation offices: Catoosa (918-266-2828); Jay (918-253-3243); Pryor (918-825-7988); Sallisaw (918-776-0416); Stilwell (918-696-3124); or Tahlequah (918-453-5735).
For additional information on this summer’s SYEP, call Cherokee Nation Career Services, phone: (918-453-5555).
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |