ALBANY - "NY Youth Works," a statewide program to combat the unacceptably high unemployment rates among inner city youth in communities across New York launched on Monday. The new program, passed last month in an extraordinary session of the state legislature, includes $25 million in tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed and disadvantaged youth and $62 million to support job training programs.

"With unemployment at over 40 percent among youth in our inner cities, New York must stand up and make sure our young people are a central part of our state's economic recovery," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "To rebuild New York, we must invest in the next generation of New Yorkers and give our young people opportunities to grow and succeed. This program will bring together government and the private sector to join forces and make a lasting impact on families, communities, and our state’s economy."

The Governor and legislative leaders designed the NY Youth Works program to provide permanent, unsubsidized employment for youth across New York State. Under the program, thousands of young people can receive work readiness, occupational training and digital literacy training to build a foundation for future success. Businesses will also be offered up to a $3,000 wage subsidy in the form of tax credits to immediately put inner-city youth to work for six months. An additional tax credit of up to $1,000 will be available to employers who retain the participating youths for an additional six months. The program is a central part of Governor Cuomo's urban agenda which is designed to revitalize underserved communities across the state and address the chronic needs of those living in poverty.

Businesses interested in participating in the NY Youth Works program should visit www.jobs.ny.gov/youthworks. Youth interested in participating in the program can visit their local One-Stop Career Center, a listing of which can be found at http://labor.ny.gov/workforcenypartners/osview.asp,