The Central New York area is home to 35 colleges and more than 130,000 students, yet communities are finding that few graduates are going on to work for local companies and businesses.

In an attempt to try and get college graduates to stay in the area, the Metropolitan Development Association has launched the Essential New York Initiative, which is developing an internship program that includes Cayuga Community College.

"We want to try and energize young people and get them feeling like this area is a great place to live, work and play," said Rob Simpson, MDA assistant to the president. "Working to retain a higher percentage of college students to be employed in the area should be a high priority for everyone."

Between 1990 and 2000, the Syracuse metropolitan area lost a higher percentage of the under 35-year-old population than any other top-100 metropolitan area in the country.

To coordinate the internship program and other projects, the MDA has created a Central Upstate Regional Alliance, a 12-county, 25-member committee whose goal is to promote cooperation between counties to improve overall economic development.

"Even though this is a region-wide effort, specific impact will be felt here in Cayuga County," CCC President Dennis Golladay said. "So many graduates look for work outside of the region," Golladay said. "These summer internships help college students generate real work experience right here in Central New York to show them all of the possibilities that are available right here."

The 2004 Experiential Education Survey shows that on a national level, nearly 60 percent of employers end up offering full-time positions to students that intern with them.

"Internships provide businesses with a reasonably priced, technically competent entry-level work force," Golladay said. "Additionally, internships help businesses save money that would be spent on recruiting."

According to Simpson, 71 internships have already been created for the program and MDA is hoping to increase the list to more than 100 businesses. CCC has been sending out fliers and letters to local businesses and companies to try and get as many people involved as possible.

In the beginning of March, CCC will begin to open up the internships to all students who are interested.

"This program is exactly what the region needs," Golladay said. "This is a beautiful way to combine what students are learning in class with a real-world setting."

Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235

or ashley.lipsky@lee.net