The WDB Receives New Grant Funding:

Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs

On Friday, Sept. 30, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1,999,341 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program for the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties Inc. to train Mohawk Valley workers for in-demand, good-paying jobs across the region. The senators say the funding will bolster the Workforce Development Board to design, develop and grow a training program that prepares local job seekers for high-demand, high-quality career pathways.

“It is critical that the Mohawk Valley’s dedicated workers have the skills and resources needed to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs in high-demand fields like electric vehicles, renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and more. That’s why I am so proud to deliver this nearly $2 million federal investment to supercharge the workforce across Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties to get the hands on training they need to build America’s future right here in Upstate NY,” said Senator Schumer. “Investing in tomorrow’s workforce today is how we can breathe new life into the Mohawk Valley’s manufacturing legacy, all while ensuring people can get the good paying jobs to build a good life for them and their families.”

“We appreciate Senator Schumer’s support of our efforts to provide the workforce that our many employers need to grow a strong economic future here in our region. Employers have reached out to the Workforce Development Board with their concerns, and this project was crafted in response to their needs so that they can continue to make first-class products that allow our region to be a competitor in the global economy,” said Emily Arthur, Chair of the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida Counties. “We recognize that not all populations have participated in the opportunities generated by our employers. This project seeks to forge enduring partnerships with community groups so that under-represented and historically marginalized populations in our region can have new opportunities to secure the training they need to embark upon careers that will provide good-paying jobs that will provide for their families.”

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

The Workforce Development Board is hiring a Case Manager for our YouthBuild grant program in Utica

Job Summary:

The Case Manager will be responsible for recruitment, intake and case management of participants of the Youthbuild grant. The Case Manager will assist participants in achieving their goals of obtaining their High School Equivalency and completing construction skills training. Participants will also have on-thejob training on a construction site, and the Case Manager will be present daily to supervise participants and manage participant needs on-site. They will coordinate services with partner training providers, and report to the Project Director. After successful completion, the Case Manager will assist the Job Placement Coordinator in placing exited participants in employment, apprenticeships, or further training.

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

View/Download Job Description and how to apply HERE

WDB's Pathway Home 2 grant Lead In-Facility Counselor

Loretta Young has joined Mohawk Valley Community Action (MVCAA) as an Advisory Council Member

Ms. Young says, "The mission of the MVCAA is to increase awareness of the causes and conditions of poverty, forge a future of the hope and equity, and strengthen families. They change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope, improve communities, and make it a better place to live. 

"MVCAA cares about the entire community, and I joined the council to be able to dedicate myself and time to helping people help themselves and each other-- and to be an integral part of this mission, giving back to my communities."

Congratulations, Loretta!!

WDB's Employment Focused Services grant Program Director Tiffany Richardson has been accepted in the

Workforce Accelerated Leaders of Color program.

NYATEP Introduces the Inaugural Workforce Acceleration Institute:

Leaders of Color Program to Identify and Address Systemic Barriers

within the Workforce Development Sector

The Workforce Acceleration Institute for Leaders of Color is a twelve month long fellowship developed through a partnership with Cornell University. The institute’s focus will draw on Cornell’s expertise in leadership development, NYATEP’s deep understanding of policy and advocacy, and the fellows’ lived experiences to identify potential systems changes. The cohort will develop projects centered on identifying policies that break down systemic barriers that have kept individuals of color within the NYS workforce system from advancing and making an impact within their local communities.

Ms. Richardson says," The Workforce Accelerated Leaders of Color Program is an intensive leadership course. The partnership between Cornell and NYATEP provides tools to support the communities that we serve advance in the workplace. I am thankful to have an employer that supports my personal and professional growth and development."

Congratulations, Tiffany!!

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Image Courtesy Tiffany

Herkimer Working Solutions Summer Updates

The 2023 College Corps program employed 9 individuals at various agencies throughout the area including GPO Federal Credit Union, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Herkimer College, and various Herkimer County Departments.

The College Corps program is approved by the Legislature to provide college students entering their junior or senior year of college gain valuable work experience and knowledge in their chosen field. 

The 2023 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) also saw another successful year! Through the SYEP, Herkimer Working Solutions employed 85 Herkimer County youth at 26 worksites around the county. This year, youth helped in local schools, libraries, museums, retail spaces, and government office buildings.

Our 14-15 year old program at Herkimer BOCES was also a huge success this year, allowing employees to rotate through their Culinary and Hospitality, Conservation, and Advanced Manufacturing. Through the SYEP, participants gain valuable work experience in local agencies, work readiness training, and financial literacy education. 

Submitted by Herkimer Working Solutions Employment & Training Director Nicole Wilson

Virtual Job Fair - Success!

On Tuesday, Sept. 26th, a free virtual job fair was held for all businesses and job seekers in the following counties: Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego. The event was sponsored by the Workforce Development Board's Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) grant project. 

WDB Staff were also on-hand to talk to job seekers about how our free learning/training grant programs can help job seekers get started in a satisfying and good paying career.

Some 144 job seekers took advantage of the opportunity to chat one-on-one with representatives from 42 local businesses/organizations and were able to view and apply immediately to more than 2,300 job opportunities.

"The HMO Workforce Development Boards’ RADAR grant and partners are thrilled to have had another successful virtual job fair," says RADAR Project Director Sommer Edwards. "We are looking forward to hearing the feedback from everyone involved and continuing to offer this resource across our region over the coming months.

"If you or someone you know are currently seeking employment, or if you are an employer looking for new and innovative ways to expand your workforce, please reach out to the Workforce Development Board for more information."

Attending Businesses:

• SNAP-Ed NY
• Otsego County Gov't.
• Corning Incorporated - Oneonta
• Community Wellness Partners
• Knowles Precision Devices
• Coalyard Charlie's
• RADAR - The Regional Apprenticeship Development & Readiness Grant
• Lithia & Driveway
• Oneonta Job Corps Academy
• Standard Insulating Co.
• NYS OPWDD - Broome DDSOO
• Springbrook
• Arc of Onondaga
• National Grid

• Brookdale Clinton
• Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc.
• Human Technologies
• Walmart- North Utica
• Catholic Charities Oneida/Madison County
• OPWDD NY Career Opportunities
• CIRCARE
• The Neighborhood Center, Inc.
• The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
• Bassett Healthcare Network
• CABVI
• Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES

• US Census Bureau
• First Choice Staffing
• White's Farm Supply Inc
• UnitedHealth Group
• Hutchings Psychiatric Center
• UPS
• Kunkel Ambulance
• Prime Care Coordination
• Park Outdoor Advertising of NY, Inc
• City of Norwich
• International Paper
• Birnie Bus Service
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• CRM Rental Management, Inc.
• Upstate Caring Partners
• Upstate Spray Foam Insulation

Stay tuned for more information about our October Virtual Job Fair!

For more information, contact RADAR Project Director Sommer Edwards at 315.207.6951 ext. 133 or sedwards@working-solutions.org

WDB Grant Staff Volunteer at the Johnson Park Center (JPC) Food Giveaway

WDB grant staff often take turns volunteering at the JPC Food Giveaway. At the Sept. 26th event Employment Focused Services (EFS) Grant Program Director Tiffany Richardson, who coordinates the WDB's JPC volunteer activities, was able to snap a photo of three of the volunteers: YouthBuild Program Director Grant Calogero, YouthBuild Case Manager Paula Ford and Pathway Home 2 Case Manager Curtis McSorley.

Herkimer Working Solutions Sponsors LPNs

Through our Working Solutions office, we are able to provide small grant funding to Herkimer County residents attending short-term training. Each year, the Herkimer BOCES LPN Program and Herkimer Working Solutions partners to identify students in need and provide that financial assistance. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Working Solutions office sponsored 8 LPN students and all 8 successfully completed their training in June and are now working as LPNs in healthcare facilities throughout the region!

Submitted by Herkimer Working Solutions Employment & Training Director Nicole Wilson

“Your Dream, Your Team” Website: A Toolkit to

Help Job Seekers with Disabilities

The Your Dream, Your Team website is a resource to help improve career exploration and employment for job seekers with disabilities, with an emphasis on outcomes for youth with disabilities (ages 14-24).

The website offers useful tools, guidance, forms, and other resources to support job seekers with disabilities and the individuals and organizations who support them, including community-based organizations, employment counselors, Disability Resource Coordinators, and parents who want to introduce their child to a career pathway and prepare them for a stable, long-term career.

The site also offers a variety of resources for businesses that are designed to help businesses learn how to be more inclusive and support employees with disabilities.

Explore the Your Dream, Your Team website!

Your Dream, Your Team was developed by CDO Workforce, Hempstead Works, Tompkins County Workforce, and Change Impact with guidance from the DEI team at the New York State Department of Labor.

Email Kari Johnson

Email Sommer

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.

There is still space available! Email Brandy

Email Paula

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

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.

Contact Teresa

Go to mvcc.edu/fast

Project Excite

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.

Email Rachel

Happy October!

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