SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Skills Win! Program, a non-profit run by SU students, offers training in professional skills to Syracuse youth. This Thursday will mark the third session of the Skills Win! Program, which takes place at the Syracuse Police Department. Participants, ranging from 11 to 15 years old, can practice skills such as time management, typing, public speaking, and Excel.
Skills Win! COO Abigail Jones says that partnering with the police department’s youth program, Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) allows SU students “to be able to get more engaged with the community.”
The program’s goal is to equip students with “skills that [students] will be using throughout “their high school experiences and into the job force,” says Jones.
Skills Win! teaches mostly at local high schools, such as PSLA at Fowler and Institute of Technology Central. Site Manager Stella Vanbeveren says that Skills Win! “adapted the level to be age-appropriate” for the members of PAL.
However, some skills are taught regardless of age, such as Excel. “[At] my school we did not focus on Excel at all, and then I got to college and everything was Excel,” says Vanbeveren. “I needed to learn how to use Excel.”
All Syracuse youth are eligible to join this free program through PAL. While there is no official age limit, children aged 11-15 are encouraged to join. You can learn more by contacting the Syracuse Police Department.
