The Albany County Legislature has released a request for proposals to establish a new career readiness program for Albany County youth.

Officially titled, “Career Readiness Program: Curriculum Development, Training, and Support,” the request asks qualified, community-based organizations or service providers to develop, facilitate, and deliver a youth leadership and pre-workforce development program designed to prepare young adults for career success.

The new year-long, responsive, and supportive resource program will be aimed toward high schoolers, particularly at-risk populations, those for whom English is not a first language, the unemployed, and those entering the workforce.

Starting with an initial kick-off session this December, the new program will be at least eight sessions that progressively build on each other and provide participants with practical job and life skills, financial literacy, professional conduct, and effective communications.

Proposal submission details are available through the county's Purchasing Division Office or the Empire State Bid System website at http://www.empirestatebidsystem.com (login required).

The deadline to submit a proposal is August 15.

Proposals should demonstrate how the program will deliver:

• Equitable access to career preparation tools such as interview skills, resume and cover letter development, leadership competency, career exploration, and goal planning
• Mentorship and positive youth development
• Financial literacy
• Conflict resolution, promotion of positive peer interactions, self-advocacy training
• Check in and follow up

For consideration, applicants must have:

• At least three (3) years of experience working directly with Albany County youth
• Experience designing, facilitating, and delivering engaging career-readiness seminars, workshops, and youth programs
• Experience collaborating with interagency organizations
• A strong advocacy background, including juvenile rights, diversion alternatives, and restorative justice
• The capacity to collaborate with youth, at-risk youth, school personnel, and families
• Be culturally competent in serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and youth impacted by the justice system.
• Ability to submit a regular evaluation report(s)

Proposals will be evaluated by representatives of the Legislature and the Department for Children, Youth, and Families, among others. Evaluations will focus on:

• Familiarity with the residents, families, schools, and government agencies within Albany County
• Previous experience in providing youth programming
• Demonstrated ability to focus on various program areas
• Costs

Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham said: “This program will join an expanding portfolio of resources spread across Albany County that specifically support and prepare young people to become the next generation of community and business leaders that we need. Becoming a professional is an ongoing journey of progress, not an instant transformation into perfection. This program will help young people in Albany County take their first steps into a larger world.”

Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said: “Not everyone has someone in their life to show them all of the little things you need to do to become a professional. There are a lot of life details that are easily overlooked and ignored when a role model isn’t in place and this is especially so for young people in communities that have been underserved for years. We want to equip our young people with the tools they need to lift up their communities, their families, and, most importantly, themselves.”

Albany County Legislature Democratic Majority Leader Dennis Feeney said: “Preparing our young people for future success is one of the most important investments we can make as a county. This Career Readiness Program reflects the Legislature’s commitment to ensuring that Albany County youth have access to meaningful opportunities that support long-term success in the workforce. We look forward to supporting a program that builds strong community partnerships and delivers results for the residents we serve.”