Robach Recognizes Digital Afternoons Students And Employers

Senator Joseph Robach held a ceremony this afternoon with County Executive Maggie Brooks to recognize the 26 students and 20 employers who participated in the second annual RochesterWorks! Digital Afternoons Program. Digital Afternoons is an innovative job-readiness program that trains high school students in technology and business and provides them with paid summer internships at local companies. Brooks launched the program in 2005. Senator Robach secured a $45,000 State grant for the program this year. Brooks and Robach were also joined by representatives of RochesterWorks! and the local school districts participating in the program.

Students from East High, John Marshall, East Rochester and Greece Olympia high schools completed a 10-week on-line curriculum in technology and business, including courses in time management, business etiquette, and the basics of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The students were then placed in paid summer internships at local companies and organizations and given the opportunity to practice their skills in the workplace.

"I am very proud to have supported the Digital Afternoons Program and its goal to provide computer and business training to our community’s young people, as well as giving them the opportunity to apply and utilize these skills in an actual workplace environment," said State Senator Joe Robach. "I am even more proud of these fine young individuals who participated in the program. It is appropriate that we commend them for making this important investment in their own future. The skills they have learned will be invaluable as they prepare to enter our local workforce."

The Digital Afternoons program is administered through RochesterWorks, Inc. in conjunction with Monroe County, the City of Rochester, NY Wired for Education, and local school districts. Funding for the program is provided by RochesterWorks, Inc., the Workforce Investment Act, and New York State.