ROCHESTER, N.Y. — More funding is on the way to give at-risk youth an opportunity to receive workplace experience.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation Board announced Wednesday that it has awarded expansion funding to the Rochester Museum & Science Center's Career Ladder program.

The program established in 2011 teaches basic job expectations and communication skills to youth ages 15 to 19 and encourages them to look for future educational and employment opportunities.

The new funding will increase the number of participants in the program and expand to college students.

One of the students in the program talked highly about her experience and how it has impacted her.

"The career ladder program has helped me in many ways,” program student Aleaya Hall said. “For example I’m usually an introvert and you have to be an extrovert. You have to be like hey do you need help, what's over here. It was really hard for me at first. And now that I'm developing it’s become very easy."

The program has provided more than 65 students an opportunity to serve as RMSC’s daily operations team by engaging visitors, assisting with events and programs and maintaining exhibits.