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Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) Project Success!

Interview with a RADAR Participant

(Name changed to initials for anonymity.)

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

My name is J.S.. I am from PTECH [Pathways in Technology], I will graduate in the fall with an associates in business administration and get my high school diploma with honors at the same time.

I am part of Phi Theta Kappa, and I was hired by the college for many roles. The first role was being a tutor in the learning commons, and then I was 'promoted' to working in their broad street office and then 'promoted' to creating a program that was universally designed to help all students including those with disabilities get invaluable life skills.

I created calendars, communicated with professors and working solutions and had some involvement with the Department of Labor and the University of Rochester.

All in all, we executed the program, and it was a success. Every individual was offered employment by local manufacturers by the end.

The program is very unique, it offers professional skills, i.e., resume help, interview skills, clothing for interviews, communication techniques, etc., half of the time and then the other half is manufacturing so that they already have basic training for the employers which makes them more valuable. They also receive an OSHA 10 by the end of the program.

On Thursdays I reinforce both subject areas. I assist with resume writing, interview prep, and help tutor in manufacturing.

At the end we have a mock interview day to test everything, their responses, having to wait, anxiety, dress codes, everything like the real interview so it is less frightening. And then, we do the real interviews with Danfoss, Indium, Riverhawk, Giotto, a lot of other big names.

This is now the conclusion of the second iteration, and it was also a success. 1/3 were hired on the spot and the other 2/3 of the class are doing tours and preparing for apprenticeship programs. I love being with this program from the start and being able to help shape it to be the best resource possible, and we are always improving!

I look forward to the third iteration as this "model" is being rolled out statewide, or will be soon according to the University of Rochester.

After that wrapped up, I was working in MVCC and was making forms that were given to employers, little did I know one of these forms was for RCIL. About a month later I was hired as a hiring liaison at RCIL only to find out that I had been the one to create this new program from MVCC. It was really an interesting experience and I love my current position at RCIL and MVCC. I hope this summary is acceptable.

Initial Experience

What were your first impressions of the apprenticeship program?

I enjoyed it, it is a first time for RCIL, so we are able to teach each other and knowing the MVCC side of how they work has been very helpful and allowed me to help RCIL navigate a at times confusing system. I am learning a lot of useful information and skills.

Future Outlook

What are your plans or goals for the future once you complete your apprenticeship?

RCIL plans to have me as a normal employee, and I have to say after being in this work environment I would be quite excited to see where that went. I would like to stay with RCIL while still helping out MVCC where I could.

Conclusion

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your apprenticeship experience or your journey?

HR is a wonderful department and I think everyone should spend at least a week or two learning how it functions so that people are not so mad on the phones. There are lots of procedures and protocols and the more willing you are to follow them and give us what we need when we need it, the faster your process will be done. I think that this type of program is very valuable and provides a way to show employees what a career in that field might look like and seeing that is very informative in my opinion.

Congratulations, J.S! 

Questions? Contact Sommer Edwards - 315-207-6951 ext.133

WDB Announces Real-Life Rosie Cohort 7 Completion

The Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida counties extends heartfelt congratulations to the graduates of the Real Life Rosie Cohort 7 Summer Bootcamp! This direct-entry Advanced Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship program, which took place July 29th to August 15th, provided students with the valuable opportunity to interview with three local employers.

A big thank you to Giotto, Indium, and Danfoss for their ongoing support and enthusiasm in creating opportunities for our graduates. We're thrilled to announce that all five students have received job offers from Giotto Enterprises, and we look forward to watching their careers flourish.

This program is made possible through the dedicated efforts of The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and its partners. We are excited to be part of this transformative initiative and eagerly anticipate celebrating the achievements of future cohorts.

Congratulations, Participants! 

--Submitted by Apprenticeship Project Director Sommer Edwards

Businesses: We have On-The-Job Training Funding

Questions? Contact Sommer Edwards - 315-207-6951 ext.133

Interview with Rodney, An Advance 2 Apprenticeship (A2A) Success Story

Congratulations, Rodney!

Apply Today at radarjoin.com

Questions? Contact Sommer Edwards - 315-207-6951 ext.133

Proctor High School Seniors Graduate from

The Real Life Rosies program

On July 16th, we had the honor of celebrating Proctor High School seniors as they received their certificates of completion and took their first steps towards joining our local workforce. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Semikron Danfoss, Indium Corporation, and Square One Coating Systems for their invaluable support. Thanks to these partnerships, many of our graduates have been offered summer employment opportunities that will help them deepen their knowledge and gain practical experience in the manufacturing sector.

We are eager to follow the continued successes of these talented individuals and remain committed to our goal of bridging the gap for women pursuing careers in nontraditional roles.

the Real Life Rosies program is delivered in collaboration with The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), and many others. This milestone marks a significant achievement in our mission to provide women with direct entry Pre-Apprenticeship training for careers in Advanced Manufacturing.

Congratulations, Participants! 

--Submitted by Apprenticeship Project Director Sommer Edwards

The Workforce Development Board Announces New Funding Initiative to Build Clean Energy Workforce

Utica, NY – The Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Oneida, and Madison Counties, Inc., is pleased to announce a groundbreaking opportunity designed to shape the future of our workforce in the renewable energy sector.

Through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Careers grant project, the Workforce Development Board will pave the way for a vibrant new skilled workforce and empower small businesses to drive sustainable development.

In response to the growing demand for skilled workers in the renewable energy industry, this initiative aims to create a robust pipeline of talent able to tackle the challenges of today’s clean energy landscape. The goal: To equip individuals aged 17 and older with the skills they need to excel in rewarding careers such as solar energy, electric vehicle maintenance, HVAC systems, weatherization, and more.

We can fund up to $4,000 per qualified trainee, with a streamlined application process that requires minimal paperwork. This initiative emphasizes worker-centered strategies, focusing on building environments that attract and retain skilled young workers.

Eligible trainees include those who:

·        Are 17 years or older

·        Are not enrolled in secondary school

·        Reside in Chenango, Delaware, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, or Schoharie County

·        Meet one of the following criteria:

o  Unemployed

o  Underemployed

o  Incumbent workers

o  Underrepresented populations

Our training initiatives include:

•        Registered Apprenticeships

•        On-The-Job-Training

•        Classroom, Competency-Based, and Technology-Based Training strategies

•        And More

Project Director Sarah Barcomb highlights the transformative vision behind this project: “As we recover from economic setbacks, the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Careers grant aims to ignite innovation in our region. By linking advanced manufacturing to clean energy, we are answering the pressing demand for skilled labor and opening the doors of opportunity for marginalized communities.”

This project not only offers employers a solution to workforce shortages but also ensures that the individuals in our community, particularly those historically underserved, can access fulfilling career paths that can change lives.

To apply now or for more information about this grant project, please contact Sarah Barcomb at (315) 207-6951, ext. 150 or email: sbarcomb@working-solutions.org

Go here to learn more about The Building Pathways to Infrastructure Careers training grant project: https://www.working-solutions.org/training-grant-programs/building-pathways-to-infrastructure-careers

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. The total cost of the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Careers project is $1,999,341.(100% funded by a U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration grant.).

Learn more/download the release

Interested in Joining the Laborers' Union?

Here are some certifications we can pay for:

• Flagger
• Aerial Platform/Boom Lift/ Scissor Operator
• Trench & Excavation
• Scaffold Safety
• OSHA
• Confined Space Awareness
• Rigger Signalman/Operator Safety

To learn more contact Sommer Edwards:

sedwards@working-solutions.org

315-207-6951 ext.133

Send an email

WDB Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR)Grant Project Success

On Friday, August 30^th, 19 students completed Cohort 4 of the RADAR Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program. The WDB staff are elated by the ongoing interest from job seekers pursuing careers in the Trades and Advanced Manufacturing.

Each graduate completed 50 hours of instruction and workplace readiness training, earning their OSHA-30 certifications. Thank you, Mohawk Valley Community College for providing the space for this training.

After graduation, we celebrated with an Employer Day. Six employers generously volunteered their time to meet with our students, offering insights into their organizations, describing a typical workday, and discussing job opportunities.

Thank you, FIS, Revere Copper, Ironworkers Local 60, Carpenters Local 277, JBF Stainless, and Adirondack Distilling Co for your valuable contributions. Events like this are made possible by the continued support of our community partners. We eagerly anticipate watching our job seekers take their next steps towards securing employment and building careers for themselves and their families.

Congratulations, Participants! 

Submitted by Sommer Edwards, Apprenticeship Project Director 

sedwards@working-solutions.org, 315-207-6951 ext. 133

VISIT NASCTF.ORG

Visit Apprenticeship.gov

Email apprenticeship@dol.gov

Benefits of Apprenticeship

• Helps recruit and develop a highly skilled workforce.
• Improves productivity and the bottom line.
• Provides opportunities for tax credits and employee tuition benefits in some states.
• Reduces turnover costs and increases employee retention.
• Creates industry driven and flexible training solutions to meet national and local needs.
• Allows workers to earn and learn at the same time.

More and more companies are realizing the advantages we can offer in helping to train their future workforce.

Employers: If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please let us know!

We can also help you set up a new apprenticeship program. 

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