Empire State Development (ESD) today 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 Empire State Development President, CEO & 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 an important part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion vision for a new and vibrant Northland Avenue community. It 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 Avenue on Buffalo’s east side. ( See renderings here)
Stephen Tucker, President & 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
“This is another significant milestone in this $100 million project that is a game-changer, for the Northland neighborhood, all of Buffalo’s east side, and our entire city. This first applicant information session for the Northland Workforce Training Center demonstrates how far this project has come toward offering our residents the training that will open the door to career opportunities, and more tangible results of my Administration’s continued goal of making Buffalo a City of Opportunity where no one is left out and no one is left behind,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “As progress continues toward opening the training center later this year, I again thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for embracing and supporting this transformative project for our city.”
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 the New York Power Authority.
Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO said, “This information session is a wonderful first step for participants interested in careers in the advanced manufacturing and energy industries. NYPA is a proud contributor to this workforce training center, which is an essential component of Governor Cuomo’s long-term energy vision for the state. New York State needs a motivated and skilled utility and clean energy workforce to secure its energy future and this center will help make that clean energy future a reality.”
Senator Tim Kennedy said, "Once opened, the Northland Workforce Training Center will be an incredible resource for those searching to further their education and skills. Informational sessions like these are key for the community, and I encourage folks to come learn about the training and career opportunities available in the advanced manufacturing and energy industries."
Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples- Stokes said, "This information session marks the beginning for what we expect to be a long, successful and impactful future for the Northland Workforce Training Center. We are focused on training and upskilling area residents in advanced manufacturing and utility energy sectors with a goal of providing living wages to support a family and socio-economic independence. I applaud the staff and pledge my support in making this a win-win for Buffalo's East Side residents.”
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “The information session provides an outstanding opportunity for potential students to learn specific details about exciting careers in the advanced manufacturing and energy industries. I firmly believe that knowledge is power so I strongly encourage any Erie County residents who wants to better familiarize themselves about training for advanced manufacturing and electric utility careers to attend the first application information session at the Northland Workforce Training Center.”
About the Center
On July 15, 2015, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled plans for the $44 million Western New York Workforce Training Center, a new hub which will focus primarily on training for careers in the advanced manufacturing and energy sectors. To be branded as the "Northland Workforce Training Center," the facility is being funded with $29 million from the Buffalo Billion and $15 million from the New York Power Authority.
The approximately 100,000-square-foot facility will house administrative space, classrooms, and industrial shops/labs designed to train and turn out highly-skilled members of the local workforce to meet the requirements of the 21st century advanced manufacturing and electric utility industries. With technical support by the University at Buffalo's Regional Institute, ESD developed a business plan for the Center targeted to best provide workforce training opportunities to the traditionally most underrepresented groups in the city's workforce. The instructional staff/curricula components of the center will be provided by three SUNY institutions (Erie Community College, Alfred State College and Buffalo State College).
The Center will be created through the adaptive reuse of a portion of a historic industrial structure at 683 Northland Avenue-the former Clearing Niagara Plant-and will serve as the anchor tenant of the Northland Avenue Corridor on Buffalo’s East Side. Click here to learn more about the Northland Workforce Training Center.
Contact:
Pamm Lent | [email protected] | (716)-846-8309
Stephen Tucker| [email protected] | (716) 289-7691