The Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties, Inc. (WDB HMO), recently hired Business Services Representative Caitlin McSorley. Ms. McSorley will work hand-in-hand with local businesses to help them recruit and develop a highly skilled workforce, improving their productivity and their bottom line.

Before joining the Workforce Development Board team, Ms. McSorley worked for New York State Assembly Members Anthony Brindisi and Marianne Buttenschon, serving in the roles of Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, respectively. She has gained extensive experience in state politics, public policy, and networking, while working to aid the needs of the local community. Caitlin comes to the WDB with community connections that she fostered during her time in the Assembly. She will utilize her networking skills to help employers by offering free WDB services and programs, such as the On-The-Job (OJT) Training Program that provides employers with financial assistance, helping them defray training costs and improving retention of quality employees.

“As a community-minded professional,” Ms. McSorley says, “I’m thrilled to be using my networking skills to bolster the local workforce to the benefit of both businesses and job seekers in the Herkimer, Madison and Oneida County region. And also to have the opportunity to raise awareness of the free and beneficial services we offer here at the Workforce Development Board.”

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/for-businesses/resources-for-businesses

Two of our interns, Fritz and Zuleyka shared a little about their experience below:

Fritz worked with the Oneida County Re-Entry Program, the Education Opportunity Center. and the Dislocated Worker Program.

“I’ve had a great experience here with the OCWFD [Oneida County Workforce Development]," Fritz said. "It’s been eye opening and rewarding at the same time. It has felt incredible to help to make a difference in my community.”

Zuleyka worked with the Summer Youth Program.

"My name is Zuleyka, I just graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College with my associates in Business Administration. This fall I’ll be transferring to SUNY Polytechnic Institute to continue my education. This is my second year as an intern here at the Workforce Development Board. Last year I was in a shell, didn’t speak much, some of the people on the same floor didn’t know about me. This year I was willing to get out that shell and work on more.

"Last year if I would’ve been invited to a press conference I would’ve said “no thank you” and went on with my day. This year I got invited and put all the shyness away and said yes. I went out there although I didn’t say anything I got out of my comfort zone and that boosted my social confidence up a bit. With that being said I learned and helped me get out my shell is to say “Yes” to every opportunity!"

“Leadership is about empathy. It’s about having the ability to relate and connect with people. For the purpose of inspiring and empowering their life.” – Oprah Winfrey

"I entered nursing school at 17 years old upon my parent’s insistence and graduated from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in 2014. I worked in a variety of nursing positions and settings and never found the “right fit.” I left the nursing field in 2020 and enrolled at SUNY Poly in 2021 to pursue my passion for sociology and social work.

This was the best decision I’ve ever made and I want to learn as much as possible to assist others. I will graduate with my BA in Sociology in May 2023 and I hope to continue my education by pursing an MSW with a macro social work concentration."

Required qualifications include certification in OWDS by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services' Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives.

The 20-hour curriculum is delivered in groups with individual sessions as needed. The groups will be conducted online.

This position is through a fee-for-service contract at a rate of $50 per hour. Hours are 10:00am - Noon. OWDS trainers can work a maximum of 15 hours per week. We would like training to be 2 hours per day, 5 days a week.

All services are provided remotely.

Preferred qualifications include experience working with forensic population.

Education: Bachelor's preferred

Submit cover letter and resumes to: asavino@working-solutions.org

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Case Managers devote 100% of their time to specific grant populations depending on the grant requirements. Assists the Program Director by providing direct services including program recruitment and retention. Provides leadership training to participants as well as mentoring and support. Counsels individuals with meeting education and employment goals and with all employment related activities. Secures information such as education, skills and social factors contributing to the client’s situation and evaluate their needs. Assists the client with resumes, cover letters, job searches and interview preparation. Provides on the job support as needed once the individual becomes employed. Compiles records and complete case notes and reports.**Candidates with experience working with individuals that have disabilities are especially needed.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship has created the “ApprenticeshipUSA” brand to establish an identity and shared understanding of the national Registered Apprenticeship system with its stakeholders.

These include apprentices, apprenticeship sponsors, educators, employers, industry associations, labor-management organizations, state apprenticeship agencies and training providers.

The Department has begun a national online public dialogue on the future of Registered Apprenticeship and invites those interested in sharing their views and experiences, and learning more to join the conversation through Sept. 5.

The ApprenticeshipUSA branding and online discussions are part of the Department’s continued efforts to highlight the value of Registered Apprenticeship in promoting an equitable national recovery.

DYK we have an Apprenticeships Newsletter? This bi-monthly newsletter is dedicated to news about our apprenticeship programs and incentives and more. You can Subscribe Here.

And we have an Apprenticeship Facebook page too! Please "like and share" to help us get the word out about these valuable programs.

To contact Chris Ebersold, you can email her at cebersold@bocescce.org or call her office at 315-334-8003. 

As a BOCES Case Manager, Amanda Laitao provides support and guidance to adult students seeking to earn their high school equivalency diploma through a variety of pathways, with morning, afternoon and evening onsite programming at no cost to participants. In addition to HSE preparation, Amanda can enroll students in English As A Second Language classes, an on-site 8 week Hospitality program and assist with all other programming. Case Managers support the student to obtain their educational, vocational training and employment goals while working collaboratively with Utica area programs, resources and partnering agencies.

To contact Amanda Laitao, you can email her at alaitao@bocescce.org or call her office at 315-738-7304.

To learn more about the BOCES Utica ACCESS Site and Adult education programming, please go to Adult & Continuing Education - Madison-Oneida Board of Cooperative Educational Services (moboces.org)

Pictured: David Whalen, Certified ADA Trainer

WDB/HMO Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) Kelly Manley, along with DRCs Danielle Palleschi, Columbia Greene Workforce and Jordon LeBlanc, North Country Workforce Partnership, Inc., hosted an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training event on August 25, 2022.

The event was a success, with some 75 organizations in attendance virtually and in person! Participants included Questar, the New York State Education Department (NYSED), The Justice Center, Department of Labor (DOL) staff, County Economic Development, and many additional organizations that provide support to individuals with disabilities, such as community based not-for-profits, staff from Columbia-Greene Community College, Workforce Development Boards, and DRCs from across New York State.

Certified ADA Trainer and Keynote Speaker David Whalen presented on Disability Awareness/ADA rights, Accommodations and Modifications, and Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. To learn more about David, please visit https://www.disabilityawarenesstraining.com/.

This event has received a lot of positive feedback, and we plan to have more trainings available for staff and other organizations in the future.

For more information or for benefits planning, contact DRC Kelly Manley at 315-207-6951 ext. 139 or via email at kmanley@working-solutions.org.

Governor Kathy Hochul signs a package of legislation to help individuals with disabilities in New York.

Legislation S.1035-A/A.4685 allows individuals with disabilities to have an essential support person accompany them while they are hospitalized. Legislation S.6293/A.7358 changes who appoints members to the developmental disabilities advisory council. Legislation S.6294-A/A.7381 requires the developmental disabilities advisory council to evaluate New York State’s response to the COVID-19 state disaster emergency for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Legislation S.6276/A.7223 requires the president of the Civil Service Commission to conduct a study on the employment of persons and veterans with disabilities by the state.  

VISIT: YOUR DREAM, YOUR TEAM

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.

We invite you to explore the Your Dream, Your Team website!

New Resource: Find your local Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) here: https://dol.ny.gov/career-services/career-services-for-persons-with-disabilities

JOB SEEKERS: Are you 18 years old or older? Do you have a diagnosed disability? Would you like training and supportive services to help you on your path to a good paying career? Our Regional Apprenticeship Development & Readiness Grant Can help!

CONTACT: Sommer Edwards, 315.207.6951 x13 or sedwards@working-solutions.org

Go to SAM.GOV

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is an official website of the U.S. Government. There is no cost to use SAM.gov. You can use this site to:

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: Our new Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) grant focuses on providing people with disabilities a pathway to good paying careers, while businesses can receive incentive payments and help to train the skilled workers that you need!

Contact Karin Piseck: 315-867-1400 or kpiseck@herkimercounty.org

From Mohawk Valley Edge:

"Mohawk Valley EDGE is pleased to see Marcy at the forefront of global semiconductor manufacturing news, as highlighted in a recent NPR piece by reporter Emily Feng.

"The article details Feng's visit to the Wolfspeed facility, covering both on the ground facility operations and economic discussions with industry experts.

"We look forward to seeing how US-based manufacturing unfolds with the newly signed CHIPS Act and increased demand for semiconductor-driven tech. We are also grateful to our dedicated network of partners for their ongoing efforts toward regional economic advancement."

Job Seekers: Register for the NYS Department of Labor's Virtual Mohawk Valley Job Fair today! https://nysdolvirtual5.easyvirtualfair.com/

The BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education Fall 2022 catalog has started to arrive in mailboxes around the region!

Students have started registering for classes and getting prepared to learn a new job skill, trade, or hobby.

Vocational offerings include Carpentry, Welding, Electricity, HVAC, Heavy Equipment, Cosmetology, and Nail Specialty. Health Occupations programming include LPN, CNA, Phlebotomy, Medical Assisting, Dental Assistant and the newly added Cardiac Monitor Technician.

Our catalog is filled with many returning student favorites like Wine Bottle Wind Chimes, Pierogis, and Ballroom Dance, and some new classes you definitely don’t want to miss – Italian Christmas Cookies, Book Folding Art, and many new Yoga classes.

The catalog is available for viewing online at moboces.org/adult or you can have one sent to your mailbox; just call (315)361-5800.

Contact the Mohawk Valley Builders Exchange for more information: 315-736-2441 or info@mvbe.com

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/

Did you know you can get the latest labor market info on our website? Updated every month. GO HERE

"Our #MVCAAHeroes are excited to announce the return of the MVCAA Peace Train on Friday, September 23rd! Participants will enjoy a groovy train ride from Utica's Union Station to Remsen and back.

To purchase tickets, visit: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=uq477wwab&oeidk=a07ejc5n8ng1f69c6ca

The event will have FREE admission & parking with FREE shuttle buses for overflow parking at MVCC Payne Hall Parking lot and the Parkway Rec Center! The day will feature vendors, glitter tattoos, magic, live music, a chainsaw sculptor, food trucks, info booths & more!

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|