On Thursday, October 29th, CDO Workforce partnered with the Otsego County Chamber for our first-ever virtual job fair on Zoom. The 30 job seekers who attended had the opportunity to interact with Hiring Managers from nine local businesses. The job seekers also learned some tips to improve their resumes in a Mini Resume Workshop presented by CDO Workforce DRC Kathy DeAngelo.

"The Interaction with job seekers during the Virtual Job Fair was wonderful," Ms. DeAngelo says. "Plus I was able to engage with the businesses more than expected at the event. Overall, I really liked participating in the Virtual Job Fair and I hope we will be able to do more of these types of events that connect job seekers directly with Hiring Managers."

To learn more about the services that we provide to help you with your career goals, you can request services here.

We help businesses too! Including helping to recruit and train employees and much more. Contact us to find out how we can help.

On Wednesday, October 14th The Otsego County Chamber held a Drive-Thru Job Fair at Neahwa Park, in Oneonta, NY. This was the Chamber's 2nd Drive-Thru Job Fair event. The Chamber held a Drive-Thru Job Fair in August that was so successful businesses asked them to hold another event.

The event provided for social distancing, and all participants must wore masks while receiving information from each business at the Fair through their passenger-side window. Listings of current and future jobs were be given, as well as instructions on how to apply.

Some 45 attendees received information from 14 local businesses about their business and current and upcoming job opportunities.

CDO Workforce was on-hand to provide information about our services, including job search help, resume help, career counseling, skills training and more.

"The event was extremely well run by the Otsego Chamber of Commerce," says CDO Workforce Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) Alan Sessions. "There was a steady stream of cars (job seekers) visiting the exhibitors and the businesses were very pleased that every car was required to stop at every exhibitor. This gave the business the opportunity to present career information to job seekers who they would usually not interact with. For example there were a number of teachers seeking employment and the Healthcare exhibitors were able to discuss educational opportunities at hospitals. A number of adult job seekers were seeking to change careers and CDO referred them to our virtual career exploration tools. Job seekers were very appreciative to be able to have face to face meetings with businesses in a safe environment."

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Veronica Miller, Project Director of the Opioid/National Dislocated Worker Grant, is pleased to announce that one of their participants presented at the New York State Recovery Conference in October.

Erin Wiggins participated on the panel for the Wired Recovery - Digital Apps and Web-Based Services for Recovery and on the Peers Helping Peers; Peer Learning Collaborative panel discussion.

"Erin has found her passion and purpose and continues to seek out additional professional training in the field," Ms. Miller said.

Prior to the conference Ms. Miller extended her best wishes to Erin: “Congratulations Erin, we know you are going to do a fantastic job at the conference.” 

Education & Training Resources (ETR), the company that has operated Oneonta Job Corps Academy since 2009, was just awarded the contracts for the Iroquois and Benjamin Hooks Job Corps centers! Located in Western New York and Tennessee, respectively, the two centers will join the ETR family to include Northlands in Vermont and Gadsden in Alabama. We’re One Team in Job Corps, with a mission to train young adults for careers in high demand fields. Despite the pandemic, we’re still actively working on The Plan – and succeeding.

Speaking of the pandemic and plans, we are submitting our revised Resumption of Physical Operations and Distance Learning plans today, with the return date for our first group of students still set for October 19th. Once we resume operations, we will utilize a combination of the following learning approaches: Online training for students in the initial 14-day quarantine, in-person classes for students after that, and distance learning for those still at home waiting to return. The process will be orderly to ensure safety for everyone. We will test all students for COVID-19 when they arrive, with any positive cases isolated in a designated dorm. We’re taking all of the CDC recommended precautions, and are paying close attention to the news.

If you live in Oneonta – or Cooperstown, Davenport, Laurens, Gilbertsville, or Sidney – you are familiar with our Cement Mason students who do a fair amount of their training on local sidewalk and curb projects. This trade, operated by Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), is one of two union construction trades on center. The other is Tile-Setting, run by International Masonry Institute (IMI). Add Number Three: Home Builders Institute (HBI), which will take over our Electrical trade this December. HBI has a proven track record of success in Job Corps and will complement our Smart Grid advanced training program by preparing students for a variety of career pathways – to include electrical apprenticeship, solar voltaic, and telecommunications. Like OJCA’s other career trades, HBI is community-oriented. Says HBI Vice President of Job Corps Greg Romano: “We are all about community connections and will support them and hopefully build many more once we are underway.” Welcome aboard!"

More than 2,000 Student Registrants Attend

On National Manufacturing Day, October 2nd, the Raymond Corporation hosted an online interactive event with more than 2,000 student registrants from across the country.

National Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration of the manufacturing industry organized by the National Association of Manufacturers.

“The material handling industry is in need of the younger generation’s innovative thinking, which can push and challenge our industry to stretch and reach new potential,” Raymond Corporation's Senior Director of Operations and Quality, Tony Topencik said. “We want to ignite curiosity among students about career possibilities that they might not have previously considered.”

We also offer more resources for workers with disabilities and hiring workers with disabilities on CDOWorkforce.org

online Metrix Learning® platform!

Are you ready for the next step in your career!  Bassett Healthcare Network is looking for Food Service Workers in Cooperstown, NY.

"Over $2500 in cash Bonuses Offered! Host or hostess opportunities, taking meal orders bedside directly from our patients, using our state of the art, 'Expressly for You' Health Touch System. 'Front of the House' in our retail/cafe operations, providing hot and cold food production, serving customers directly and cashiering. Work for the largest employer in Otsego County, NY. Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage; a generous retirement plan; and 26 paid days off annually. No experience required, Employer will train motivated workers. Veterans and job seekers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The operation is open between 6am and 8pm, hot shifts right now are 6:30am-3pm and 11:30am-8pm, plus every other weekend and rotating holidays. Computer and tablet experience preferred. Bassett is looking forward to seeing your application, please apply online at www.bassettopportunities.org."

Cleinman Performance Partners, Inc. is seeking a MAINTENANCE WORKER (Multiple Properties in Oneonta, New York Area)

"Full time/Part time - dependent on need. Hourly wage: $15.00. Benefits included: Health insurance, 401K, and PTO time if averaging 30 hours or more per week over a year. Prefer Resident of the Oneonta area. Duties include: Lawn maintenance, Snow removal, Snow blower provided in addition to shoveling snow, Basic carpentry, plumbing and electrical work as needed. Painting Various repairs of the building as needed. Attention to detail and quality of work a must. Driver's License and vehicle are required. Apply by email to psparaco@cleinman.com with resume or brief description of work experience."

"Seeking energetic, caring, self-starters to support developmentally disabled individuals in the Stamford, Davenport and Walton areas. All positions allow for a full time schedule at 20-30 hours per week. Create your own flexible schedule based on individual needs, with no weekends or overnights required. High school diploma or GED required. Must have clean NYS driver’s license with no moving violations within last two years. Personal vehicle required; mileage reimbursed. $11.80 per hour. The application review process will be ongoing until the position has been filled. Applications accepted at Delaware Opportunities Inc., 35430 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY 13782. Equal Employment Opportunity MF/ F/ Disability/ Protected Veteran Status

The ideal candidate will have experience working within the Central Office, MTSO or Datacenter, however, on the job training is offered. The ideal candidate will have experience building equipment racks, cable racks, fiber protections systems. The ideal candidate will also have experience installing and performing the test & turn-up of new technologies such as NEXT-GEN ROADM and CRAN. Regional travel is required on a weekly basis, company Van/Truck provided to all Lead Level 4 technicians. See more about the positions and how to apply