October 2022
WDB/HMO
News & Opportunities

Stay up to date with the latest job opportunities, training, and more on our website!
WDB/HMO & Partner News
New WDB Grant Focuses on Workers with Disabilities
 
The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties (WDB/HMO) has received a nearly $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) Project, funded by the Apprenticeship Building America grant, will develop job training programs that will help connect local job seekers with high-demand industries.
 
The project advances the U.S. Department of Labor’s efforts to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship by increasing the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that use Registered Apprenticeship and improving the access to and performance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs for underrepresented and underserved communities, with individuals with disabilities as the primary participants.
 
Program participants will receive career guidance, assessment and training in a chosen field, such as manufacturing, IT, healthcare or the trades. The funding will give these job seekers 18 years older with a diagnosed disability the workforce training and skills they need to succeed. The project is available across an eleven-county region: Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Onondaga and Cortland counties.
 
“We are looking forward to bringing together some awesome partners that include the Resource Center for Independent Living and the Central New York Labor Agency, as well as the corporate, community and educational partners that will help us reach out into all parts of the region we plan to serve,” says Alice Savino, Executive Director of the WDB.
 
“Over the next 4 years, RADAR seeks to connect with employers, supportive service agencies, and training providers to develop a pipeline to an apprenticeship,” says Project Director Sommer Edwards. “Our goal is to promote current apprenticeship programs within the Trades and Manufacturing, while also advocating for new occupations to jump on board. RADAR provides an opportunity for us to address the workforce shortage, while also providing employment and educational opportunities to those in need.”
 
To learn more about our apprenticeship programs, go here: https://www.working-solutions.org/training-grant-programs/apprenticeships
 
This program is 100% funded by a United States Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) award of $2,999,993.
Welcome, Josephine Naw!
Our new Regional Apprenticeship Development & Readiness (RADAR) Grant Outreach Coordinator

A little about Josephine:
“I started as an intern for HMO Workforce Development Board on the Pathways to Justice Grant. I really enjoyed working with kids from the community and our law enforcement. I love how diverse our community is in Utica, it feels welcoming since I came here as a refugee.

"I am currently an Outreach Coordinator for the RADAR grant, which connects people with disabilities with pre-apprenticeship training and registered apprenticeship opportunities. When my family and I first came here we faced many obstacles but glad we were able to turn it into something beautiful, a beautiful journey. I am happy my job allows me to contribute further especially to the community.”
The Workforce Development Board's
Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) Grant
SUCCESS STORY!

"E" was referred to us by the Roofers Union, as he had applied for the Registered Apprenticeship. He successfully completed his Pre-Apprenticeship training and received his OSHA-10 certification. Upon completion, we were able to assist "E" with purchasing some PPE equipment, as well as tools he will need for his first year in the field.

"E" is set to enter an Apprenticeship with the Roofers Union in Syracuse any day now. He is our first participant to complete a Pre-Apprenticeship and get accepted into a Registered Apprenticeship program.

"I'm grateful to the Workforce development board and RADAR for assisting me in successfully finishing my OHSA training," "E" says. "And also for helping me get my Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Now I'm able to work with the Roofers union and I'm looking forward to having a great experience working with them."

CONGRATULATIONS, "E"!!

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL)
has Launched a Virtual Career Center


FROM NYSDOL: The Virtual Career Center uses advanced technology, backed by robust artificial intelligence to provide job leads that really match a job seeker’s skills and experience. 

Today, there are more than 250,000 jobs to browse!

This platform provides an experience customized to you and your needs. These are some of the things you can do in the Virtual Career Center:

Upload a resume, browse your top jobs in seconds, and see why you match
Apply for positions that are relevant to your skill sets quickly and easily
Explore training opportunities to step up in your career
 
To access the Virtual Career Center you will need to have an NY.GOV account. If you have an existing NY.GOV account, you are all set!

Please visit the following site to login and access the Virtual Career Center or to register and create an account: https://labor.ny.gov/signin 

This is a chance to REIMAGINE YOUR CAREER and find a job you love!
Introducing BOCES Rome and Utica ACCESS Site National External Diploma and Distance Learning Specialist,
Wendy Lampert!
 
"As a BOCES NEDP and Distance Learning Specialist, Wendy Lampert provides support and guidance to adult students seeking to earn their high school equivalency diploma through two pathways, the National External Diploma Program and the Distance Learning program that allows students the ability to work from home at no cost to participants. In addition to HSE preparation, Wendy can provide tutoring support to ensure success. Our NEDP Specialists and literacy instructors support the student to obtain their educational goals." 
 
To contact Wendy Lampert, you can email her at wlampert@bocescce.org or call her office at 315-334-8018. 
 
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)
Spotlight on Workers with Disabilities
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

From the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy: "In recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2022 will be “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Observed annually in October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices."


Resources For:
  • Job Seekers
  • Community Based Organizations
  • Businesses
  • Parents/Guardians
  • Caregivers
  • School Professionals

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!

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
For Businesses
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.
Job Seeker Opportunities & Resources
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.
NYS Department of Labor
Virtual Mohawk Valley Region Career Fair
Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 11:00am – 2:00pm 

A Preview Day will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, beginning at 9:00 am. The Preview Day allows you to visit exhibitor booths, view informative videos and available job openings. This is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the site before the live event!

During the Live Event, held on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 11am – 2pm you can view all of the same content and also chat one-on-one with recruiters at their booth!

Registration is required! Please upload your resume before the live event!


Workforce Development Training Grant Programs: NOW ENROLLING!
The Workforce Development Board has learning/training grants that you may be eligible for!


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/
Community News & Opportunities
Herkimer County Office for the Aging along with Herkimer College are partnering to provide a screening of the film, “All the Lonely People.”

This film examines social isolation in communities and how people and communities can build resilience to combat this issue. Social isolation can impact anyone of any age.
They are hoping that people of all ages while attend the screening.

The film will be shown at Herkimer College on Tuesday, November 1st at 2:00pm.

If you are interested in a sneak peek, view the trailer here:
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. While you are there subscribe to our blog to get notified of new opportunities!

We also post new jobs every day on our Working Solutions Facebook page. Stop by often, because they won't all show up in your newsfeed!
Go here to Follow us:
Working Solutions:
Workforce Development Board (Stay up to date on our learning/training grant programs!):

You can also follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorkUtica
And Instagram, too! https://www.instagram.com/hmowdb/
Free Online Skills Training
Take FREE Classes on our Metrix Online Learning Platform!

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

There are more than 6,000 free courses on the self-paced learning platform!

There are courses in IT, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business and many more. And you can take as many courses as you want. Some can be completed in less than 30 minutes!

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


Free Workshops
The New York State Department of Labor is Offering FREE Online Virtual Workshops!

>Resumes
>Interviewing
>Transferable Skills
>Job Search
>Networking
>And lots more!

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:
Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties, Inc.
209 Elizabeth Street
Utica, NY 13501
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