October 6, 2015 (ONEONTA, NY) – State Senator James Seward and Otsego Now today announced the award of a $100,000 legislative grant to support the official launch of the Otsego Now Regional Workforce Training Center during an Open House event held at the Otsego Now offices at 189 Main Street in Oneonta. The grant provides additional funding to supplement a previously announced $47,500 awarded through the leadership of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo via the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, to outfit the workforce training center with required technology.
In support of Otsego Now’s mission of creating, retaining and attracting high-quality jobs to Otsego County, the Center will offer workforce training programs, as well as overall entrepreneurship support, to regional and local residents. Center staff plans to work in partnership with regional businesses and educational institutions to provide access to valued training resources and expertise that will enhance the skills of new hires and existing employees alike.
“Otsego County’s dedicated, hard-working workforce is well-known, but new technology and evolving businesses need specially-trained employees – that’s where the Otsego Now Regional Workforce Training Center comes in,” said Senator Seward. “This new center will serve as an integral component of our regional and local economic development strategy. I am pleased to partner with Otsego Now to bring this workforce training initiative to the community, and I look forward to seeing its positive influence on our region’s future success.”
The grants have been used to furnish and equip a set of state-of-the-art classrooms, seminar rooms, and overall multi-purpose training/education spaces, where the Center and its partner organizations will offer classes to qualified trainees. The Center will also offer space to the business community for other purposes such as strategic planning sessions and technical training. “Our industry-specific job training programs will offer an important service to major regional employers, and will make our County more competitive in the site selection arena,” said Otsego IDA Board Chair Robert Hanft. Targeted industry sectors will include manufacturing, health care, hospitality/tourism, value-added agriculture, and transportation/distribution.
The Center will also host an eagerly anticipated partnership with Hartwick College faculty, including members of the College’s Economics and Business & Accounting departments, where students and local citizens will engage in direct economic development work. A strong focus will be made to enhance the regional entrepreneurial spirit though internships, hands-on participation by faculty members, and direct business courses that incorporate the needs of local and newly started businesses. “I believe that Hartwick’s Liberal Arts in Practice curriculum is a tangible example of the College’s belief that students learn best when the questions they pursue are grounded in the communities in which they operate, and when their work has real-world implications that extend beyond the classroom. We look forward to a fruitful partnership between Hartwick’s academic departments, our exciting Craft Food and Beverage Center initiative, and Otsego Now,” added Dr. Carlena Ficano, Professor of Economics.
“We are enthusiastic about working with Otsego Now to establish a regional workforce training center in Otsego County,” said Ken Tompkins, Regional Director of Empire State Development. “A regional center dedicated to workforce training, and integrating components of entrepreneurship and skill development, will be an important element in overall economic development for the Mohawk Valley.”
The initial pilot training program will focus on career and job readiness for entry-level positions and will be a collaborative effort between the Center and area business partners such as Oneonta-based companies Corning, Burt Rigid Box, and Pathfinder Village of Edmeston.
“It is critically important to any business to have an adequately trained workforce, and that is why Pathfinder Village is excited to join with Otsego Now for this new initiative,” said Paul Landers, President and CEO of Pathfinder Village.
“This new economic development initiative is a positive step bringing future employees, businesses within the area, and Otsego County together to achieve the goals of success for all involved,” said Greg Ward, Operations Manager for Burt Rigid Box.
Individuals interested in submitting an application for one of the Center training courses can visit https://otsegonow.com/?p=90 to complete and submit an application online or to print it out and mail it in. Area business owners and managers with questions about the Center and its programs and services can contact Dawn Rivers, Director of the Regional Workforce Training Center, at rivers@otsegonow.com or 607-267-4010.