2009 – 2010 Best Matches Program

The objective of the Akwesasne Area Management Board 2009-10 Best Matches Program was to provide the Summer Employment Experience Development and START- Stay in School Program applicants with part-time employment opportunities. The 2009 post-secondary and secondary students were matched up with their previous summer employers from December 1st, 2009 to March 26th, 2010. A number of fifteen businesses and community organizations registered and met the program guidelines. A total of 25 students were employed, with 20 students successfully completing the Best Matches Program.

The main goals of the part-time employment positions were: to create positive learning and work experiences focused on student employment skills, to increase awareness of services offered by local community based organizations and provide opportunities for career instruction, financial assistance and employment social growth. Participants worked in a variety of entry-level jobs throughout Akwesasne emphasizing on real-labor expectations.

Employers and students were granted 340 hours throughout the duration of the program. The total cost to run this year’s Best Matches Program was $62,656.16

Site/Monitoring Visits: The site visits consisted of meeting with the student and employer on work ethics in meeting the job descriptions submitted through the employer. All employers were very cooperative in providing the opportunity to visit their facilities and business to conduct health and safety measures. Employers were informed that students were not to be left unattended during working hours. Monitoring of the Best Matches helped to evaluate the progress of student working hours, student employer concerns, notices to employers of timesheet submissions and payment claim forms. All students were monitored once a month through work schedules submitted at the beginning of the program.

Measuring Success: Through employer and student participation in the Best Matches Program, Akwesasne agencies and businesses realized the student work ethics and personal benefits of participation in the employment program. The youth employed in the program gained meaningful work experiences in the career fields of nursing, education tutorial, sales, lacrosse stick manufacturing, youth and recreation. The initial goals were attained through employment skills from the participant monitoring forms students and employers submitted. One-on- one educational and career counseling took place during the student visits to gain insight of the participant’s future educational plans.

Recommendations:

Student resume and interviews.

Participant requirements of academic progress reports, grades, transcripts and attendance summary.

Student orientation and basic employment training.

Employer workshop on how to fill out the Application/Agreement Form.

Employers claim form submissions handed in on a monthly basis.

Client action plan forms to be filled out for future reference.

Program to start early (October) and closed out by March 31st (Fiscal year)

In reviewing the overall student employment program, achieving the quality of student employment opportunities was well received amongst the employers. All student participants gained valuable working skills in a variety of educational career choices. Participating employers evaluated the program as being a great assistance to their businesses and agencies.