The Workforce Development Board,
Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties, Inc.
(WDB/HMO)
News & Opportunities
Stay up to date with the latest job opportunities, training, and more on our website!
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Welcome, Kelly Manley - New Disability Resource Coordinator for the Workforce Development Board's Systems Change and Inclusive Opportunities Network (SCION) grant!
A little about Kelly...
"Hello, my name is Kelly Manley. I am the new Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) for Herkimer, Oneida and Madison counties. This grant is funded by a three year NY Systems Change and Inclusive Opportunities Network (SCION) grant.
My role as the DRC will be to work with the staff in our centers to make stronger connections with employers to bolster the ability of job seekers with disabilities to be hired by employers. Since the pandemic, we have realized that there is a strong need for more workers in our counties, and with the right resources and information we could assist those individuals with disabilities, (whether mental, physical or developmental/learning disabilities) to be part of that workforce.
I have been working with people with disabilities for seven years now, with my last position as a Disability Service Specialist at Oneida County’s DFCS. I have assisted individuals with disabilities obtain SSI/SSDI and assisted them with getting resources they need such as case management or care management services. Self-sufficiency has always been a huge concern for these individuals and with the right resources and education they could join the workforce and obtain that.
I can be found at the Workforce Development Board on 209 Elizabeth St, Utica, NY 13501 and I can be reached at (315) 207-6951 x 139 or via email at kmanley@working-solutions.org
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Women in Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant Participant - Khadijah's Success Story!
Throughout the last several months, the Workforce Development Board's WANTO grant has witnessed the success of many women as they have enrolled in and completed training to jumpstart a career in a new occupation.
This month, WANTO is pleased to highlight Khadijah Ballard. Khadijah has proven to lead by example in her endeavor to complete training and prepare for the Trades.
Throughout the course, Khadijah faced many challenges, which would have otherwise discouraged many from completing the program however, she persevered as she graduated with both a Trades Pre-Apprenticeship and OSHA 10 certification.
Khadijah has not only completed our program but has also shown tremendous personal growth as well. Before WANTO, Khadijah had a rather pessimistic view of life however, being incarcerated gave her the time to reflect and take ownership over her actions. She mentions that going forward as she is faced with trials, she reminds herself, “this is not my life, this is a life situation.”
When asked about her experience with WANTO, Khadijah added, “I was allowed to prove people wrong, and gain confidence in my ability to gain financial security as well as provide an avenue for me to have another chance at success, in a judgment-free zone.”
Khadijah has since met with numerous employers as she decides what her next steps will be. However, her main goal is to become an advocate for individuals looking to make a similar change, as well as be a part of a solution to give back to her community through acts of kindness and mentorship.
CONGRATULATIONS, KHADIJAH!
Story submitted by WANTO Pre-Apprenticeship Counselor Sommer Edwards.
Photo Courtesy Khadijah
This program is 100% funded by a United States Department of Labor grant administered by the Women’s Bureau and Employment and Training Administration of $716,676.00.
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The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant interviewed Renee to learn more about her experience as a Painter Apprentice at Strategic Global Aviation, LLC.
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WANTO January Virtual Career Fair - SUCCESS!
Job Seekers were able to view and apply for job opportunities and connect one-on-one with representatives from the following businesses:
- St. Margaret's Corporation
- ACHIEVE
- NY Project Hope
- WANTO- Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations
- New York State Police
- LOCAL 669-JATC
- Chobani
- Cancer Services Program of the Central Region
- CNY ETA
- Green Empire Farms
- UPSCO, Inc.
- New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
- Upstate Cerebral Palsy
- Indium Corporation
- Westchester Putnam Career Center
- International Paper
- North Atlantic States Carpenters Labor Management
- Aleut Electric, LLC
- Oneida County Sheriff's Office
- New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
- NYS Office of Children and Family Services
- Oneonta Job Corps-Admissions
- Corning Incorporated
Job seekers were also able to speak with our WANTO grant staff about the WANTO grant and how WANTO can help them jumpstart their careers.
The WANTO grant program is available in the following counties: This program is available in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga and Tompkins counties.
Businesses and Job Seekers are invited to register!
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State of the State 2022
Governor, Kathy Hochul shared her State of the State on January 5th, which included a wide range of proposals that will directly impact the structure and funding for the workforce system.
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NYATEP's Statewide Workforce Equity Analysis Tool (SWEAT)
"How hard are we really working to make our workplaces
more diverse, equitable, and inclusive?"
From NYATEP: "SWEAT Scan captures information from workforce development organizations across NYS. Data we are examining include:
• Employee demographic data
• Organizational mission
• Leadership training program communications (e.g., websites, digital announcements)
• DEI training program communications (e.g., websites, digital announcements)
• Organizational DEI efforts
• Training programs
• Internship programs
• Key stakeholder data (e.g., clients, customers, students)
• Vendor relationships
All the information aggregated from organizations across the state will provide a powerful baseline from which we can all begin to move forward more inclusively than we ever have before.
Questions?
The SWEAT Scan closes on February 15th.
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WANTO Career Fair - February 9th |
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You're Invited to the Women in Apprenticeships and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Career Fair Happening on Wednesday, February 9th, from 11:00am to 1:00pm!
The WDB/HMO’s WANTO grant helps recruit, train, and retain women in quality pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, and encourages them to pursue apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations. The program offers a unique opportunity to females who are interested in any nontraditional occupation. A nontraditional occupation is any career in which females make up 25% or less of the workforce, including but not limited to: advanced manufacturing, information technology (IT), public safety, transportation, agriculture, and the trades. By participating in WANTO, women can pave the way for themselves and future generations to be valuable employees in these fields.
This program is available in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga and Tompkins counties.
We hope that you can join us!
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The Workforce Development Board's Gun Violence Prevention Grant “Building a Safer New York.”
New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has partnered with Local Workforce Development Areas to provide job training, credentialing and placement in good-paying jobs to approximately 3,200 young workers, at least 75% of whom must reside in zip codes impacted by high rates of gun violence.
In addition to each area’s existing referral network, youth will be referred by trusted community service providers with priority given to referrals from gun violence interveners and other anti-gun violence advocacy organizations.
This initiative treats gun violence as a public health crisis and includes short-term solutions as well as long-term strategies that focus on community-based intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of violence.
Eligibility for Program Participants in the 13501 or 13502 area:
The Program will serve unemployed, under-employed and out-of-school youth between age 18 and 24 in areas of cities impacted by gun violence. Youth must reside in the city of Utica.
Services for Youth
- Aptitude and skill assessment.
- Skill-building courses.
- Career counseling –as necessary baseline services for placement into skills training and employment.
- Work with participants to identify skill and education gaps.
- Assess and make any needed referrals to external providers including: housing, legal and/or substance abuse issues, benefit programs, financial assistance, etc.
- Connect youth to comprehensive and customized occupational training and will include literacy, job-specific skills, professional credentials, business-relevant computer literacy, high-tech and job preparation workforce services.
- Provide access to pre-apprenticeship programs for entrance into apprenticeship training for a specified trade.
- Provide job placement services to youth who are job-ready and once youth complete training. This will include placement into Registered Apprenticeship programs.
Please Note: We cannot fund or provide services to any male over the age of 18 who has not registered for selective service.
For more information or to find out about eligibility:
Contact: Venice Ervin
315.207.6951×141
For Youth Referrals in Other Areas of New York Where the Program is Available:
- Jamestown
- Niagara Falls
- Syracuse
- Rochester
- Poughkeepsie
- Kingston
- Newburgh
- Middletown
- Yonkers
- Mt Vernon
- Spring Valley
- Binghamton
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More Job Seeker Opportunities & Resources |
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MVCC to offer free Worker Fatigue training
Mohawk Valley Community College, through a grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is offering free Worker Fatigue training until Sept. 30, 2022, to those working in manufacturing facilities, general industry, and healthcare, or are looking for work and who may be limited-English or refugees in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Onondaga, Lewis, Fulton, and Montgomery counties.
This two-hour training will cover the impact worker fatigue can have on the industry and individuals, the correlation between fatigue and human error, typical causes and common situational hazards of worker fatigue, recognizing symptoms, coping skills, and how to take actions to address situations likely to cause fatigue.
Flexible times can be offered to accommodate various shifts. The training will be translated into multiple languages and translators will be available at no cost. All in-person trainings will be in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
The instructor for the class is a senior safety and health consultant and former safety inspector for the New York State Department of Labor with more than three decades of experience in occupational/workforce safety and health.
On-site presentations can be set up by contacting Terésa Fava-Schram, coordinator of Workforce Development at MVCC, at 315-334-7778 or tfavaschram@mvcc.edu.
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Upcoming Career Fairs at MVCC
Health Sciences: Tues., Feb. 8, noon-2 p.m.
STEM: Tues., March 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Public and Human Services: Wed., March 30, 10 a.m.-noon
Business: Thurs., April 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hospitality: Wed., May 11, 10 a.m.-noon
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In-person hiring even at Mohawk Valley Heatlh Systems!
Housekeeping, environmental services, nutrition positions and more!
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SAVE THE DATE! In-Person Job Fair
Madison County Working Solutions will be holding an in-person job fair on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. More information to come!
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Turning Stone Hiring Event
Oneida Nation Enterprises is holding their largest hiring event ever at Turning Stone Resort Casino on February 10th. This is a great opportunity to explore all their job openings, including opportunities at their new buffet 7 Kitchens and openings at The Cove in Sylvan Beach.
They will be making on-the-spot offers. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registering gets you in the door faster and could get you your offer sooner.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Noon - 8:00pm
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Turquoise Tiger at Exit 33 Nightlife
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Learning/Training Opportunities & Resources |
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Spring 2022 BOCES Consortium of
Continuing Education Catalog
The spring 2022 BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education catalog is arriving in mailboxes in early January 2022, and will be available online by the second half of December.
From BOCES CCE: "This catalog brings back many community favorites, such as Pierogis, Gentle Yoga, and Wine Bottle Wind Chimes, and hands-on career training classes like Carpentry, Licensed Practical Nurse, Electricity, and more. Plus, we’ve added a new Health Occupations program – Cardiac Monitor Technician. Check out all BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education has to offer by signing up for our mailing list. Email rburleigh@bocescce.org if you’d like to be added to the catalog mailing list."
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MOBOCES 5 HOUR PRE-LICENSING CLASS - Fall/Winter 2021
They are currently running both in-person & virtual sessions.
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WDB Grant Programs: NOW ENROLLING!
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WDB Learning/Training Grant Programs
The Workforce Development Board has learning/training grants that you may be eligible for!
The WDB also has a new Facebook page where we'll be featuring our grant learning programs and incentives. Please Like/Follow us and share our posts to get the word out about these great programs! https://www.facebook.com/WDBHMO
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Community Foundation Scholarships
Dozens of fundholders have set up scholarships through the Community Foundation to help students achieve their educational goals.
Explore their open scholarship opportunities HERE
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Workforce Development Institute Child Care Subsidy Program
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Job Seekers: DYK about our online resources?
We post hiring events and featured job opportunities on our website. We also have a custom job search right on our website's front page that you can use to search job opportunities across six counties: Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego.
Go here to explore, and see more programs and resources:
We also post new jobs every day on our Facebook page. Stop by often, because they won't all show up in your newsfeed!
Go here to Follow us:
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Free Online Skills Training |
Do you want to learn new computer skills? Learn for FREE on our Metrix online learning platform!
- There are more than 5,000 free courses on the platform!
- Take as many as you want!
- Beef up your resume!
Some can be completed in 30 minutes or less! There are courses in IT, Healthcare, Business and many more.
This FREE self-paced online skills training is available to all businesses and job seekers in Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties!
More than 5,000 courses to choose from including Business, Healthcare and IT. View the catalog here:
Find out more and sign up here:
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The New York State Department of Labor is Offering FREE Online Virtual Workshops!
>Resumes
>Interviewing
>Transferable Skills
>Job Search
>Networking
>And lots more!
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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:
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Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Inc.
209 Elizabeth Street
Utica, NY 13501
Stay Connected
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