May 2026

WDB HMO

News & Opportunities

Stay up to date with the latest job opportunities, training, and more on our website!

WDB/Partner News

Pathways to Excellence in Early Childhood Education

By Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency

This Pathways Pilot was generated as a result of our Child Development Self-Assessment process, as it was identiﬁed that the Assistant Teacher position had the highest vacancy rate. We recognized we must grow from within and provide staff with the necessary leadership skills and knowledge required to become an Assistant Teacher. Teachers, Site Supervisors, and members of the Leadership team were engaged in providing Professional Development to staff as well as developing the curriculum that included in-person sessions, online trainings, and hands-on practical assignments. 15 classroom staff members voluntarily signed up for the ﬁrst pilot, and all successfully completed the 4-month program, August to December 2025.

Community Support

Workforce Development provided ﬁnancial incentives at two key milestones, “Midpoint” and “Completion.” To be eligible, participants must have met the criteria of not missing more than 1 assignment during both weeks 1-8 and 9-17, and all 15 participants received

$800. Staff were surveyed how the ﬁnancial incentive money positively impacted their personal life or professional life, and the results were powerful. Staff said the money helped provide Christmas gifts for their families, pay bills, and provide food and housing for their families.

The Impact

In just four short months, the impact has already been signiﬁcant, with continued growth and progress ahead.

Promotions: 2 Staff were promoted to Assistant Teachers.

2 staff were successful in securing peer mentor positions within our program.

Higher Education: 1 Staff member was encouraged to return to college for an Associates Degree in Early Childhood and is currently enrolled.

2 Staff signed up to obtain their CDA.

Leadership Skills: Participants expressed they have increased job knowledge and conﬁdence that support them in their roles.

Vacancies: Our Assistant Teacher Vacancy rate has decreased from 44% - 38%

DOWNLOAD THE PDF WITH PHOTOS

WDB FREE Virtual Job Fair - May 19, 2026

The Workforce Development Board is sponsoring a FREE virtual job fair on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 11am to 1pm.

All businesses and job seekers in Herkimer, Madison, Oneida counties are invited.

Job seekers and businesses can chat one-on-one on a virtual job fair platform that is easy to use.

For Businesses

WDB"s Youth Employment Program is an important platform that is intended to help reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement by providing year-round employment opportunities.

Minimal paperwork. Program participants are recruited, hired, and paid through the Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison & Oneida Counties, Inc.

These funds will support the establishment of a program which includes employment, education and/or career exploration opportunities for TANF-eligible youth from low-income households.

This funding is further intended to support employment programs for youth at risk of gun violence as part of a statewide gun-violence reduction intervention model.

Zuleyka Febo, YEP Coordinator, email: zfebo@working-solutions.org or call 315-207-6951 ext. 144.

Opportunities for Job Seekers

IN HERKIMER:

IN UTICA:

WDB Free Training Grant Programs:

NOW ENROLLING!

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.

FREE Online Workshops from the

NYS Department of Labor

>Resumes

>Interviewing

>Transferable Skills

>Job Search

>Networking

>And lots more!

Learn more/See more opportunities in your area from the Department of Labor

FREE Online Skills Training

Increase your Skills, Beef Up Your Resume and Stand Apart from the Crowd:

Take Classes for FREE on our Metrix Online Learning Platform!

Courses include: audio, video, closed captioning, lectures, simulations, and quizzes and tests in interactive modules.

Topics include IT, Microsoft Office, sales, software, workplace skills, and lots more.

Self-Sign-Up
Go At Your Own Pace
Take as Many Classes as You Want

This FREE self-paced online skills training is available to all businesses and job seekers in Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties!

View the Catalog Here

GO HERE TO SEE THE LATEST LOCAL TRAINING AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Don't forget to subscribe to our blog to get notified of the latest training and job opportunities! Subscribe Here: https://www.working-solutions.org/careers

FREE Job Seeker Resources

VALUABLE ONLINE RESOURCES provided by the WDB/Working Solutions.

Send an email

Download PDF with clickable links.

Turning Stone Hiring Events

5/5/26 – 2:00PM – 6:00PM at The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, 301 Park Ave., Sylvan Beach, NY 13157

For more information visit: https://www.turningstoneenterprises.com/careers/hiring-events!

Community Opportunities

Mohawk Valley SHRM – $1,000 Scholarship Award

Application Due Date: May 31, 2026

Are you in school studying Human Resources? Do you know someone working toward their degree in Human Resources or majoring in business with aspirations of a career in HR? MVSHRM has a $1,000 scholarship to give away!

If you or someone you know meets the eligibility criteria and are interested in receiving a $1,000 scholarship, simply complete the MVSHRM Scholarship Application and submit the required information by May 31, 2026.

Don't wait! Submit your application TODAY!

For application and more information: GO HERE

If you have any questions, please contact info@mvshrm.org

Project RISE AND Project SCOPE

On Point for College’s pre-access program

funded by Project RISE

In six weeks, eligible youth will develop literacy and the life skills needed to work towards their educational and career goals.

SCOPE is looking for students, in the Utica Area, that would benefit from working with literacy and career educators to help them become college and career ready. The next Cohort will start May 2nd.

LEARN MORE HERE

Happy May!

Next Month's Issue:

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

Communications Coordinator:

jdelapaz@working-solutions.org

Workforce Development Board,

Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties, Inc.

209 Elizabeth Street

Utica, NY 13501

www.working-solutions.org

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. This product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.