Eleven students graduated from the Opportunity Impact Training Program (OITP) in a February 15 ceremony at the Broome-Tioga Workforce office in Johnson City. The program guarantees interviews for everyone who completes the four-week training, with most graduates receiving multiple offers following two days of employer meetings. Graduates also come away with valuable industry connections. Participating employers for this class included Ametek, BAE Systems, iM3NY, McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. and Samscreen, Inc.
Participants learn shop-floor math, workplace safety, communications, time management, blueprint reading, principles of lean manufacturing, interview skills and more. The courses are selected by workforce and industry leaders to suit individuals without prior knowledge of the manufacturing environment, and are structured to resemble a common first-shift work day. OITP also helps participants overcome barriers to employment, such as childcare, transportation and can even supply equipment such as work boots.
Said SUNY Broome Workforce Development Director Danielle Britton, “Programs like OITP break the cycle of unemployment by giving participants the skills they need both in the workforce and in acing an interview. It also fulfills the community college mission: meeting people where they are and offering practical, employment-focused training. Manufacturing remains an economic force in the Southern Tier, and OITP meets employers’ needs for skilled labor and moves people into the workforce.”
An initiative of New Energy New York, the training is a joint venture among SUNY Broome, Broome-Tioga Workforce, the New York State Department of Labor, community partners and area employers. New Energy New York, created as part of the 1 Billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge under the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), is focused on transforming the Southern Tier of New York into a lithium-based battery development and manufacturing hub.
To apply for a future class, contact Erin Monroe at Broome-Tioga Workforce at +1 (607) 778-2136 or visit www.broometiogaworks.com.
Submitted by: Workforce Development
