The WDB is Hiring Case Managers for our Grant Projects

Based in Utica!

Details and Benefits:

• Typical working hours are 8am-4pm, with flexible time available

• 35-hour work week

• 401K Matching

• Two weeks' vacation

• Two weeks of sick time

• At least 14 paid holidays

Salary Range: $45,000-50,000

Go Here For Details and How to Apply

Cohort 1 of our Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program Graduate

On Thursday, February 15^th, 13 students completed the RADAR Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program. Workforce Development Board staff have been working collaboratively for several months to put this opportunity together for individuals looking to explore a career in the Trades.

All graduates completed 50 hours of related instruction and workplace readiness skills training and finished the course with their OSHA-30 certifications.

We would like to give a special thank you to Mohawk Valley Community College who provided the space and instructors to make this training possible.

On the last day of class, students attended an employer day, where they met with representatives from Blue Line Building Company, the Carpenters Union, the Electricians Union, Comfort Systems, and HP Hood. Students have already begun getting connected with job opportunities, and we look forward to supporting them as they work towards securing employment. 

Congratulations, Graduates!

--Sommer Edwards, RADAR grant program Project Director

The WDB's NY Systems Change and Inclusive Opportunities Network (NY SCION) Grant Program Disability Resource Coordinator Nicole Sortino Speaks at The Center

On January 18^th 2024, NY SCION Disability Resource Coordinator Nicole Sortino was invited to speak to a group at The Center. During this presentation, Nicole discussed topics such as Stigmas and Disability, Person Centered Language, Reasonable Accommodations, and local services to assist individuals with disabilities as they enter or re-enter the workforce.

The presentation was attended by over 75 guests and translated into 5 different languages simultaneously. This event demonstrated the rich cultural diversity within the city of Utica and a willingness to challenge traditional ways of thinking.

From L-R: Rachelle Guitián, Caitlin McSorley, Nicole Sortino

Words of Appreciation from Rachelle Guitián, Smart Carrier.

"Owning and operating a business is no easy task, but when you have a community like ours, where leaders are willing to collaborate and share important resources, information and opportunities, it really makes all the difference in the world. From now until the month of March, I will be highlighting one organization/community leader each week who has made an impact by helping in the success of Smart Carrier.

"I’d like to begin with Working Solutions. Last summer we were able to participate in the College Corps program, which enabled us to hire summer interns who were looking to excel their skills in the area of computer science. The College Corps program covered half of their summer pay. Thank you, Art Rapp

for helping us enroll in this awesome program!

"I would also like to thank Caitlin McSorley for helping us receive a funding award from an OJT Training grant, which is helping us pay for training our incredible Office Manager.

"It doesn’t stop there though. Nicole Sortino took it a step further and helped us receive grant funding for important mental health tools for our team. They awarded funding for a full year of the Calm app for each member of our team as well as a Mendi Neurofeedback headband. In case you are wondering, neurofeedback is what NASA astronauts use to build their self regulation and focus skills prior to heading into outer space.

"Last but definitely not least, Mary Katherine Moylan and Austen Johnson have always been so supportive willing to keep their eyes and ears open for awesome new talent to add to our team.

"We appreciate you all so much! I hope that other local small business owners are able to take advantage of these impactful and useful opportunities. Success is never earned without the support and kindness of a village. I’m definitely thankful for mine."

--Rachelle Guitián

Smart Carrier

Customer Success!

"I met with a justice involved customer at the end of January who recently was released from prison.

"I helped him with creating a new resume, provided employment opportunities, and the information for agencies in the area that he could benefit from.

"Within 48 hours of meeting with me, he had an interview at a company I sent him to and he was employed the next day. He could not thank me enough and expressed how grateful he was for our agency. He said without Working Solutions, he would still be lost."

--Autumn Moon

Workforce Development Counselor

Madison County Working Solutions

Sarah Roby

Brianne Nobile

WDB Staff Selected for NYATEP's Skilling American Cohort

Skilling America a self-paced e-learning community; this training equips the workforce, education, and HR professionals with the necessary competencies to build a resilient workforce system.

Skilling America is designed using a competency-based framework; courses include Career Coaching, Analysis, Leadership, and Partnerships. Upon completion of these courses, Navigators receive course certificates. By taking part with NYATEP, individuals will have the opportunity to apply their acquired competencies to a final assessment and collaborate with colleagues state-wide to develop a deeper understanding of the processes used to serve our customers.

Congratulations, WDB RADAR Case Managers Brianne Nobile and Sarah Roby!

View the Spring 2024 Cohort Members

BUSINESSES:

WE CAN HELP YOU UPSKILL YOUR WORKFORCE

The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison & Oneida (WDB/HMO) has partnered with the NYCAN (NY College Apprenticeship Network) grant to reimburse on-the-job training costs for advanced manufacturing companies that have less than 50 employees and a registered apprentice program.

Wages can be reimbursed at 50% up to $25 an hour for six months of on-the-job training (OJT) with minimum paperwork. The undirected funding provides many benefits for small to medium-sized manufacturing companies and ensures the apprentice is trained in accordance with the company’s standards and procedures.

If you would like to know how your company can take advantage of this funding or know of a company that would benefit, please contact Meghan McBennett at mmcbennett@working-solutions.org.

Email Nicole

The Request for Applications is available on the NYSDOL

Website (dol.ny.gov/funding-opportunities-0) or through

Grants Gateway (grantsmanagement.ny.gov).

Applicants may submit questions via electronic mail to WDTD.Onestop@labor.ny.gov. Questions regarding the RFA will be accepted on an ongoing basis, no later than August 16, 2024. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. All inquiries should include the following reference in the subject line: “AEG-4 Question”. Answers to all questions will be posted on the NYSDOL website (dol.ny.gov/funding-opportunities-0) on an ongoing basis, until August 23, 2024.

The Apprenticeship Training Program can also be contacted via e-mail at: ATCO@labor.ny.gov

ESL classes hosted by Herkimer BOCES

at the Frank J. Basloe Library in Herkimer

Classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30.

Classes are free and no appointment is necessary to attend, individuals do not have to attend every class in order to participate.

To learn more, contact Hanka Grabovica at 315-867-2085 or hgrabovica@herkimer-boces.org

Youth Employment Program (YEP) Now Enrolling!

>$15.00 per hour

>Youth must be between the ages of 14 and 20 years old

>The program runs from January 1 to June 30, 2024. Youth can work a flexible schedule depending on their availability and the work site

>Must be an Oneida County resident and will work at various work sites throughout the county

>Youth must meet income-eligible requirements

Learn more here

APPLY TODAY!

Questions? Contact Zuleyka.

315-207-6951 ext. 144

Talk to over 29 agencies looking to showcase their vacancies and/or services to you!

Oneida County Civil Service is excited to announce that Oneida County has teamed up with Mohawk Valley Community College to be a part of their Fast Track Program!

These are FREE 1 week long all-inclusive trainings that include field-specific skills instruction, discussions with industry representatives, work site visits, step-by-step application assistance, and Civil Service exam prep. (High school diploma or equivalency is required.)

Fast track your career to be a Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher) with Oneida County Emergency Services, or a Correction Officer with Oneida County Sheriff's Office, or even a Junior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee at our Oneida County Water Treatment Plant!

Register today: https://www.campusce.net/mvcc/course/course.aspx?catId=84

Email Brandy

Attend the Open House:

See more opportunities at Herkimer Working Solutions!

View the March Calendar

Email Teresa

The Workforce Development Board has learning/training grants that you may be eligible for!

View our Training Grant Programs Here and contact us to find out how we can help you jump start your career in a field you love.

Email

Email Sarah

EMAIL Yawa

Email Rachel

GO HERE TO SEE LOCAL FEATURED JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE UPCOMING HIRING EVENTS

The WDB now offers text notifications

Get notified by text when we have new opportunities for you, such as job fairs, hiring events, and new learning opportunities!

To sign up simply text HMO to 315-470-0055 or use the QR Code.

Happy March!

Next Month's Issue:

Do you have something you'd like to share? A hiring event, learning/training opportunity, announcement, community news, program news, staff news, success story or personal achievement? Photos are always welcome! Please email Jodi Delapaz,

Communications Coordinator:

jdelapaz@working-solutions.org