Say Yes Buffalo

Our favorite day of Apprenticeship University ( a 4 week in-person professional skills training for the CareerWise Greater Buffalo Modern Youth Apprenticeship program’s new apprentices) is Supervisor Day. It’s like Christmas in July! For many apprentice/supervisor pairs, this is their first encounter. Through guided ice breaking activities, apprentice/ supervisor teams learn more about their counterpart’s communication, collaboration, listening, leadership, and learning styles while also getting to know more about each other on a personal level. One of the activities was a lighthearted drawing game where one member was given a picture to describe without revealing the picture or the subject to the member who was drawing the picture. During the activity debrief, teams shared that they were able to get a better sense of where they might need to improve their communication skills. Apprentices and supervisors also engage in defining the ‘Why?’ of their participation in the Modern Youth Apprenticeship program. This is a declaration they will refer to in challenging times and to help create goals for development. We are excited to watch these relationships continue to blossom in the coming months! #teambuilding #modernyouthapprenticeship #youthapprenticeship #earnandlearn

CareerWise Greater Buffalo’s Modern Youth Apprenticeship Program launched Apprenticeship University (AU) for its third cohort this week. AU is a four week in-person paid training led by CareerWise Greater Buffalo and Say Yes Buffalo staff and external facilitators to build the foundational professional skills apprentices need to be successful in the workplace. Our very own Collin Gehl, Director of Human Resources and his cohort 2 Human Resources Assistant Apprentice Abdorrahim Fadel (known as Fadel) kicked off AU with a Human Resources 101 presentation. Using the knowledge and experience he has acquired during his apprenticeship, Fadel eloquently led the 26 newly hired apprentices in a conversation about workplace communication, general human resources policies and protocols, and how to present oneself at work. We love seeing our more advanced apprentices take the lead with our new apprentices! And we are excited to watch this very curious, thoughtful, and creative cohort develop! Collin Gehl, MOL (He/Him/His) #modernyouthapprenticeship #powerskills #youthapprenticeship #earnandlearn #careerwisegreaterbuffalo

🌈 Happy Pride Month from Say Yes Buffalo! 🌈 We are proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate the diversity, love, and strength that make us all unique. Our commitment to inclusivity and equality is unwavering, and we strive to create a supportive environment for everyone. Join us in honoring the history, achievements, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Let's continue to uplift each other and spread love, acceptance, and understanding. #PrideMonth #SayYesBuffalo #LoveIsLove #EqualityForAll #BuffaloPride

A supportive work environment is the key to success for CareerWise Greater Buffalo’s (CWGB) Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MYA) program participants. For Cohort 2 apprentice Da’Miah Starks, an R&D Technician Apprentice at Rich Products, the paid apprenticeship allows her to gain meaningful work experience, debt-free college credits, and a supportive professional network. When Da’Miah and her supervisor, Chris Cobb, spoke at a recent CWGB MYA Steering Committee meeting, she attributed her growth to having an encouraging and understanding manager and work environment.  “I never expected to be doing this type of work (texture analysis). Through R&D work, I am developing technical and documentation skills. My manager Chris is a great manager, and he makes Rich Products greater than it already is. His presence makes me feel more comfortable. I was not comfortable with speaking before; but being on the team at Rich Products helped to improve those skills.” Chris shared, “It’s been a wonderful experience. Da’Miah gets to experience the cadence and routine of a corporate work environment. R&D is a technical environment which has been conducive to Da’Miah’s learning. Work is cyclic and during quieter times, Da’Miah has been great about learning other areas of the work. She is always eager to learn more.” We are excited to watch the path of learning continue to unfold for Da’Miah and we are grateful to Rich Products for their partnership in apprenticeship! Rich Products Corporation Chris Cobb #modernyouthapprenticeship #earnandlearn #careerwisegreaterbuffalo 

We're still crunching the attendance and laptop giveaway numbers, but this year's College Kickoff—a one day event that aims to give new high school graduates all the tips and tech they need to be successful in higher ed—appears to be our most successful yet. Huge thanks to AT&T who once again donated 200 laptops in their efforts to bridge the digital divide and extend opportunity into these deserving scholars hands. Thanks to all our elected leaders who dropped by to offer words of encouragement: Mayor Byron W. Brown, Tim Kennedy, Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, NYS Assemblywoman, Sean M. Ryan, Zeneta B. Everhart.

Success looks different for each of our Say Yes Buffalo (SYB) Scholars. For Darniell Matthews (Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory Class of ’23), success is the achievement of his Automotive Technician certificate from SUNY Erie and the completion of West Herr Auto Group’s 15-week Automotive Maintenance Program. During his training, Darniell experienced life changing hardships that threatened to obstruct pursuit of his goals. But Darniell remained determined and the SYB Workforce Development village rallied around him. SYB provided transportation assistance, housing support, and a stipend to defray expenses incurred from relinquishing three jobs he was working in order to fully commit to his training. SYB also paid for driving lessons (provided by employer partner AAA Western and Central NY) and his driver’s license fee. Additionally, Darniell had unwavering guidance from Apprentice Success Coach Osa Amadasu (pictured with Darniell) who cheered him on at his SUNY Erie graduation ceremony on May 22nd. Darniell’s perseverance and fierce commitment to completing his training despite the bumps along his journey has him on track to becoming a permanent member of the West Herr automotive technician team. Congratulations on your accomplishments Darniell! We are so proud of your hard work! Erie Community College West Herr Automotive Group #apprenticeshipsuccess #careerwisegreaterbuffalo #youthapprenticeship

Great program to get a talented worlforce!

It’s that time of year when everything is in bloom! That includes CareerWise Greater Buffalo’s Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MYA) program which grew this spring by 27 apprentices in its third cohort! MYA is cultivating a talent pipeline of skilled workers through an innovative earn-and-learn model. MYA creates community impact by expanding opportunities for graduating seniors of Buffalo Public Schools to earn a family sustaining wage and increasing generational wealth which allows the economic health of our region to flourish. This garden of workforce development opportunities is made possible through dedicated partnerships with local employer partners. CareerWise Greater Buffalo is grateful for the following organizations who will be partnering with us for Cohort 3: BestSelf Behavioral Health Crowley Webb Delaware North Evans Bank The John R. Oishei Foundation M&T Bank National Fuel Gas Company ProAmpac Rich Products Corporation Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center TOPS Friendly Markets Wegmans Food Markets To learn more about the Modern Youth Apprenticeship Program, vist, https://lnkd.in/gDwkk7i7 or email [email protected] #modernyouthapprenticeship #earnandlearn #careerwisegreaterbuffalo

An update from Taylor Epps on our partnership to increase capacity for mental health clinicians of color in our community!

Our apprentices make it so easy to cheer them on, way to go Antonio!!!! #youthapprentices #workforcedevelopment #careerwisegreaterbuffalo