There are new opportunities available for Syracuse residents looking to advance their careers in the technical and manufacturing fields. The city and its educational and business partners have opened up two workforce training programs with the goal of filling jobs right away. One of them is for Electrical Mechanical Technicians, who will combine software and mechanical skills to maintain large industrial equipment. CenterState CEO Vice president Dominic Robinson says there are more than 250 job openings in the field.
"We're really going to be targeting individuals who have skills, often times who are already working, who are underemployed, and in many cases, invisible to our workforce system. They don't have the ability to leave a job to get a better job to take that training they need."
Median wages are about $46,000 with benefits. There are also training slots for Surge Advanced Manufacturing. Robinson says a wide array of manufacturers need about 120 workers to assemble electronic components. Median pay is around $40,000 a year.
He says past demand for these training programs has been strong, and anticipates more of the same this time.
"Contrary to maybe some of the narrative we're hearing, there's a strong desire for people to work and get into career pathways. It's really about, first of all, having an opportunity to help them put their family in a better position. Second, it's about creating conditions that allow them to take that leap. It's having paid training, we have wrap-around supports."
…such as transportation to the training sites. Mayor Ben Walsh says these custom-made programs aim to avoid past problems where candidates get trained, get certified, and then can’t find a job.
"It's a very intentional strategy that is working with employers, identifying specific skills and curriculum that are required for jobs that exist today, that are going unfilled today."
They hope to attract 250 applicants between the two programs, with a special focus on communities of color, veterans, and women. The trainings are funded using federal pandemic relief money. Applications are online on the Syracuse Surge Workforce Facebook page.
