Grant Overview: The Regional Apprenticeship Development & Readiness (RADAR) grant serves individuals 18+ who live, work, or receive training throughout an 11-county region. RADAR staff prioritizes supporting people with ADA-defined disabilities, and assisting with Pre-Apprenticeship training as well as supportive service needs. Upon completion, participants will receive assistance with job readiness and placement into a Registered Apprenticeship program.

Job Duties: The Placement Coordinator will conduct assessment interviews and determine program eligibility; conduct intakes for applicable clients; identify supportive service needs and provide support or make referrals to the appropriate agencies; develop an individualized service plan to identify education/ training and career goals; assist with placement in Pre-Apprenticeship training programs; consistently follow up with program participants; track demographic data to support grant progress; assist with job placement into Registered Apprenticeship programs upon completion of education/training; attend grant-related events; develop social media outreach; meet with employers and supportive service agencies to build connections and refer participants

Job Qualifications: Experience working with people with disabilities and disadvantaged backgrounds; experience in employee training and job placement; knowledge of Apprenticeships; strong understanding of employer workplace dynamics; proven leader in the development of workforce strategies customized to target markets; Bachelor’s Degree

Send resumes to kbetti@working-solutions.org

Before joining the Workforce Development Board team, Curtis worked for the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department in Massachusetts as a Correctional Officer at a maximum security facility. While there he gained extensive knowledge in corrections, rehabilitation, and policy.

Curtis will bring a fresh look to the WDB with his experience as an officer for many years. He is committed to helping individuals upon their release find success with full support and gainful employment opportunities.

He will utilize his skills and background to foster meaningful relationships with the individuals who are enrolling in the Pathway Home 2 grant project.

Curtis recently moved to Utica to be closer to his wife's family and is enjoying all of the wonderful food and restaurants in the city! He currently lives in South Utica with his wife, our Business Services Rep, Caitlin, and their two boys, CJ and Kellan.

Nicole lives in the Town of Kirkland with her husband and son. She is a 'newer resident' of NYS, having moved from Clearwater, FL in 2017.

While attending the University of South Florida, Nicole began her hospitality career with Hilton Worldwide, hired at an entry level front office position. Within a few years she had become department head, and received a wide array of training from the organization.

Her hospitality management experience then became a bridge to classroom instruction, job readiness, and employability skills.

"I found an area of passion working with at-risk youth," Nicole says, "instilling confidence, and helping members of my community level their playing field to access gainful employment."

After providing consultant services to the WDB for the "Jobs JumpStart" and "Digital Customer Service" training projects, she will now serve as the Disability Resource Coordinator for the WDB's NY SCION grant project.

Nicole says, "I look forward to serving the community in a new way, while doing what I love!"

Mary Katherine resides in South Utica where she has been a local community member for the past 23 years. She is now Case Manager Special Projects for both ICAN’s Evelyn’s House and Career Pathways III.

She is a 2021 alumnus of SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor's in Creative Writing and Business Administration with a minor in Medieval & Renaissance Studies. She also studied at the Lochlann Quinn School of Business in 2019 in Dublin, Ireland.

Mary Kate previously worked with Mohawk Valley Health System in patient registration, and Hamilton College in Human Resources.

She is eager to enter a new industry where she can truly make a positive impact in her community. She wishes to continue maintaining the great relationships of Evelyn’s House and the WDB's Career Pathways III grant 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.

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.

Students, you can view and apply to them in one central repository. And you can sign up to get notified right away when a new opportunity is posted.

Heavy Equipment Operation classes start on Monday, April 24th at the Madison-Oneida BOCES Campus in Verona.

Class meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 3-8 PM and on Saturdays from 7 AM – 3:30 PM.

With a focus on a hands-on experience, students will learn operation and daily maintenance for the dozer, loader, backhoe, excavator, and dump truck. Course includes First-Aid/CPR and OSHA-10 certification.

Students will need to provide their own suitable clothing, including hardhat and work gloves. Purchase of textbook required.

Tuition is $2600. BOCES Adult Education works with various funding sources and has a payment plan option available for those in need.

Interested candidates can call Rachel Burleigh at (315)361-5807.

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

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:

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