August 2022
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’s America Building Apprenticeships Grant Program to develop a job training program that will help connect local job seekers with high-demand industries.

The funding will give job seekers the workforce training and skills they need to succeed, with a focus on the needs of local employers and individuals with disabilities across a nine-county region that includes Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie 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,” said Alice Savino, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison & Oneida Counties.

“The mission of the Workforce Development Board is to bring opportunity to under-served populations so that all of the people in our region have the training they need to enter rewarding, good-paying careers,” said WDB Board Chair Emily Arthur in a news release from U.S. Senator for New York Charles Schumer's office. “By helping individuals with disabilities in this innovative and collaborative fashion, this project will help make our workforce and our communities stronger.”

“The Apprenticeship Building America grants will develop new pathways to good-quality jobs and provide America’s workers with opportunities to access and succeed in those pathways; and the intentional focus on equity partnerships and pre-apprenticeship activities will create opportunities for underrepresented and underserved communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh in a U.S. Department of Labor news release.

Congratulations, Disability Resource Coordinator Kelly Manley!

Kelly Manley, Disability Resource Coordinator for the Workforce Development Board, completed the Work Incentives Planning and Utilization for Benefit Practitioners Certificate Series (WIP-C) through Cornell University. DRC Manley was certified as a Work Incentives Practitioner (Disability Benefits Planner) on July 6th, 2022. 

As a Work Incentive Practitioner, Kelly Manley will provide benefits guidance for customers who receive public benefits (SSI or SSDI) and are returning/going to work or looking for work. Public benefits programs, such as the Ticket to Work program, provide recipients with disabilities incentives to return to work, and DRC Manley can work with these customers to help them understand how work can impact their benefits and how they can be eligible for these work incentives provided by Social Security.

To contact Kelly Manley, you can email her at kmanley@working-solutions.org or call her office at 315.207.6951 x 139.

To learn more about this grant program and/or Ticket to Work, please go to Disability Grant – NY SCION
The Workforce Development Board is hiring!

The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida counties is accepting resumes for full time Case Managers in Utica and additional locations in areas that the grant will serve.

The grant will serve individuals in Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties.

Case Manager:
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.
Two of our Beginnings Program participants have recently completed their GEDs!

“Congratulations Graduates, A.S. and H.M.! We are so excited for what these students will accomplish next!"
--Tiffany Richardson, Beginnings Program
Madison County Working Solutions
Out of School Youth Success Story

"This particular youth came into our office seeking assistance with finding employment, as he had just recently graduated and had never held a job before. He had been applying to jobs but was not hearing back from any employers.

"He qualified for the youth program, so we were able to do a "work experience" with him. He interviewed for a dishwasher position in Hamilton. This was a perfect fit for him since he doesn’t have a license and can walk to work if needed.

"Once his work experience ended, he was hired on directly by the employer. It is a seasonal job, so it ended in June, however, he will start back up again in August.

"We also assisted the youth with driver’s training through Branch’s Driving School. He has completed all of his driving lessons and once he takes his 5 hour course, he will schedule his driving test."

Congratulations, Youth Program Participant!

Story submitted by Sarah Blakeman, Workforce Development Counselor
Success Stories from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program
Herkimer County Working Solutions Career Center

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, also known as TAA, is a federal program that provides a variety of benefits and opportunities to U.S. workers who have lost their jobs under certain conditions. TAA is currently implemented under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015 (TAARA).

The TAA Program seeks to provide trade-affected workers with opportunities to obtain the skills, resources, and the support they need to prepare for and obtain suitable employment. The program offers a variety of benefits and services, with the primary focus on reskilling workers for new careers. These benefits are provided at no expense or cost to trade-affected workers or business.

On October 21, 2019, a petition was filed by the NYS workforce office on behalf of the workers of Remington Arms in Ilion, for certification of eligibility under this TAA program. After review, Remington Arms petition number 95305 was certified and signed in Washington, D.C. on November 13, 2019.

In TAA cases, it is the job of NYS Career Center staff to provide individualized guidance to affected workers. Since a large percentage of Remington workers reside in Herkimer County, the Herkimer Working Solutions office took the lead on this program. A list of over 700 workers was sent to our office in the fall of 2020 and from that point on, we provided outreach, and informational sessions, TAA program guidance, training details and support to all workers who chose to access this rare opportunity.

In total, about 200 Remington workers enrolled in the TAA re-training option. We asked 2 recent graduates to provide us with their thoughts on this experience and how it has changed their lives! ....

Story submitted by Karin Piseck, Herkimer Working Solutions Career Center Manager
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
Mohawk Valley Regional Virtual Career Fair
Wednesday, August 3, 2022

COULDN'T MAKE IT TO OUR WEBINAR??
NO WORRIES - WE RECORDED IT FOR YOU!
DFAS staff provided information to assist applicants in understanding how to effectively navigate the online application process. And how to make sure your skills stand out in the online application process so you can advance to the interview stage for DFAS hiring.

(At link, scroll toward the bottom of the page.)
Our Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant Program is partnering with MVCC
to Offer Non-Credit Courses to Participants
Courses Start in September

  • Coding Certificate
  • Certificate in Data Analysis, Power BI, or SQL
  • Mastering Computer Skills for the Workplace Certificate in Mastering Excel
  • Certificate in Quickbooks
  • Google Analytics Certificate

Contact WANTO Project Director Sommer Edwards to find out if you are eligible for funding: 315.207.6951 x133 or sedwards@working-solutions.org
FREE Supply Chain Management Micro-Credential Offered at Herkimer College

Details: 15 weeks, 4 components (each equivalent to 3 credit hours, successful completion of all 4 components is required to earn micro-credential).

Seats are limited - Classes Start August 29th- Register today to ensure your spot!
*Please note: High School Diploma or Equivalency are required.
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/
Featured Job Opportunities
Community News & Resources
Forbes Article Lauds Wolfspeed's new Silicon Carbide Fabrication Facility in Marcy and Workforce Partnerships

Governor Hochul Announces Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credit Program for Low-Income Families


Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that a total of $567 million is available to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills.

The financial assistance program includes an estimated $557 million statewide COVID-19 bill credit program for low-income customers.
Enacted State Budget requires utilities to provide a one-time credit to customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program that will eliminate unpaid utility bills that have accrued through May 1, 2022. The program also authorizes the same relief for any eligible low-income customers that enroll in EAP by December 31, 2022.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has been updated to a three-digit number, 988. This new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will be available to everyone across the United States and will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

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 August!

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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