Simply text HMO to 315-470-0055 or use the QR Code below:

This month the Workforce Development Board collected pajamas and bedding to donate to two local organizations: The House of the Good Shepherd’s “Project Jammies” and The Utica Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. In addition to collecting new items for both organizations, just over $1,045 was received in monetary donations from our team of employees and WDB Board match.

In total, staff efforts provided more than 40 sheet sets, assorted blankets, comforters and ‘Bed in a Bag’ sets to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and 75 pajama sets to “Project Jammies. Several children’s and young adult books were also collected and given to The House of the Good Shepherd.

Representatives from both organizations were very thankful for the contributions; noting appreciation not only for the number of items but also the variety of colors, styles, sizes and age ranges the pajamas and bedding included.

The WDB and staff are in turn, happy for the opportunity to 'give back' during the holiday season.

The NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) released a new video highlighting six criminal justice involved individuals that used their local county Re-Entry Task Force for transitional services. Learn about the services available in your county.

Utica, NY – The Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties, Inc. (WDB HMO), is hosting a website called “Connect Mohawk Valley” that allows local businesses to post their internships and part-time job opportunities for students for free.

The WDB’s Connect Mohawk Valley site provides significant benefits to both employers and students. It is a convenient vehicle for businesses to get the word out about their opportunities at no cost, while students attending area schools can view and apply to them in one central repository.

To sign up, a business simply goes to www.connectmohawkvalley.com and clicks the “Sign Up” button located on the top right of the page. A simple form is provided, and once submitted is quickly approved so that the employer can begin posting their opportunities immediately. When a student applies to the opportunity, a notification is sent to the employer by email. The employer can log in to add or change opportunities at any time.

The website also offers students handy resources, such as tips on interviewing, business etiquette, networking and more. The website has a category for apprenticeships as well.

As an added benefit we also post the employer’s opportunities on our social media, which includes our Connect Mohawk Valley Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ConnectMV/

and our Connect Mohawk Valley Twitter account: https://twitter.com/connect_mv

We also utilize these online resources to help get the word out about news, events and other opportunities from our partners and other Mohawk Valley businesses and organizations.

The WDB HMO, dba Working Solutions, is part of the Public Workforce System, which is a network of federal, state, and local offices that supports economic expansion and develops the talent of the nation’s workforce. We can act as an extension of your human resources department, providing a wide range of services, all free of charge. To learn more about our services, go here: https://www.working-solutions.org/

And contact us to find out how we can help.

"I began working with “C” at the beginning of December, she had recently applied for Temporary Assistance (TA) thru the Madison County Department of Social Services. She was going through a divorce, had not worked in over 20 years as she was a stay-at-home mom. She came to me very down, no self-confidence, and convinced that no one would hire her due to not been employed for such a long time. I told her that I simply needed her to show up each day to meet with me and I would help her in any capacity I was able to. She was extremely nervous about driving in the snow from the rural town she resided in, a nearly 30-mile drive, to our Career Center in Wampsville, but each and every day she indeed did show up.

"I worked with her to create an up-to-date resume, sat with her at the computer in our resource room and helped her apply to numerous job openings. She had never owned a cell phone, I helped her get online and apply for free government phone which she ultimately was approved for. She began working on the Mobile Work Crew, which is a requirement when applying for TA. She slowly began to realize that she could and did enjoy working.

"While working on the Mobile Work Crew, she did several different job tasks and slowly her confidence began to grow. She applied for a cleaning position at a local Automotive company toward the end of December and got hired. She began work in December and is loving her new job!! She came into the Career Center this past week to let me know how much she is enjoying working and earning a paycheck."

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.

Businesses Select "Organization"

 Certificate & Degree Programs through Career Pathways:

·    High School Equivalency: GED or National EDP

·    Customer Service: Entry Level Job Skills Certificate, Office Paid Job Training Certificate

·    Advanced Manufacturing: Certified Production Technician, Manufacturing Extension Project, CNC Machinist, Quality Assurance or Mechatronics

·    Healthcare: Home Health Aide, Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Medical Transcription, Medical Coding & Billing, Medical Assistant or Dental Assistant

·    Hospitality

·    The Trades: Carpentry, Construction, Electrical Tech, Electrical Service Tech II or Electrical Systems, Facilities / Maintenance Paid Job Training, HVAC or HVAC Tech, Masonry, Plumbing, Welding or Welding Technology, NYSWDA Weatherization & Home Performance Certificate, Weatherization Paid Job Training

DYK the WDB also has a Facebook page where we'll be featuring news about 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

You can also follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmowdb/

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:

info@working-solutions.org|