Area residents to be trained for advanced manufacturing and electric utility job opportunities
Empire State Development announced Northland Workforce Training Center will hold its first applicant information session for people interested in pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing and energy. Students, job seekers, women, men and veterans should plan to attend the Jan. 6 session from noon until 1 p.m. at the Delavan-Grider Community Center. The information sessions are the first step toward finding a job in the manufacturing and energy sectors. The estimated salaries for entry level jobs for skilled energy and manufacturing workers is between $30,000 and $50,000.
"The information session is a great first step for anyone whose goal is finding a job in the manufacturing or energy sectors," said ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. "New York state is partnering with the Northland Workforce Training Center to create a job training pipeline that will train thousands of area residents and help them find work."
The training center is designed to create a successful workforce pipeline for qualified community members so that they can become highly skilled workers in the advanced manufacturing and energy industries. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2018, the center's focus on providing a comprehensive pathway to manufacturing and energy careers with good pay include: industry education, job training, leadership development, life skills training, quality of life and community assistance, job placement, and post follow up to ensure a successful job transition. When opened, the center will be located at 683 Northland Ave., on Buffalo's east side
.Stephen Tucker, president and CEO Northland Workforce Training Center, said, "This session will provide a great opportunity for prospective students to learn more about careers in the advanced manufacturing and energy sectors and to sign up for education and training programs that will be offered at Northland Workforce Training Center."
The Workforce Training Center at Northland will work with information session participants to assist with the following:
- Industry career education
- Job training
- Reading and math update
- High school graduation and equivalency attainment
- Computer skills
- Career navigation
- Help with selecting your career pathway
- Education counseling
- Financial literacy
- Coaching and supportive services
- Drug and alcohol counseling
- Refugee/immigrant services
- Leadership development
- Life skills training to help you make an easier transition on the job
- Job placement after your training
The Northland Workforce Training Center will address the needs of manufacturers to fill employment skills gaps among the region's workforce. Manufacturing is still third-largest industry sector in the region, employing more than 50,000 people and generating $3.2 billion in wages. Industry estimates indicate that, between now and 2027, due to retirements and growth, there will be over 17,000 job vacancies in Buffalo/Niagara's manufacturing sector. However, the region's current workforce does not have the employment skills to meet these demands.
New York Power Authority's activities at the training center will focus on the need for innovative training, recruiting and retention strategies, as 30 percent of current electric utility workers become eligible for retirement in the next five to 10 years. It creates an opportunity for current and new employees to acquire the necessary skills of the evolving energy industry as it transitions to the grid of the future.
The Workforce Training Center is being funded with $29 million from the Buffalo Billion and $15 million from NYPA.
