New York State and the White Plains Youth Bureau are teaming up to help high school and college students find jobs this summer.

City officials and members of the business community joined Assemblyman David Buchwald yesterday to kick off the program.

It's the first time the state's "Youth Works Program" has provided tax breaks of as much as $5,000 for local businesses, which hire qualified 16- to 24-year-olds to prepare them for a successful career.

Meanwhile, New York is investing more than $27 million in programs to help young workers get a summer job.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that the state is setting aside the money to fund youth employment at local schools, parks and recreation centers, nursing homes, child care organizations and summer camps.

Workers between the ages of 14 and 20 who come from low-income families are eligible for the program, which is intended to help young workers develop job skills and earn a paycheck. Cuomo's office says the money will help more than 18,000 young workers.