The latest cohort of Syracuse Surge Workforce graduates crossed the stage Friday at Onondaga Community College after completing coursework that prepares them for jobs in three different fields. Nearly three dozen students gained skills as electromechanical technicians, in advanced manufacturing, and a new defense manufacturing program. Centerstate CEO Surge Career Navigator Cainaan Webb says he’s incredibly proud of the graduates.
“This is a a tremendous culmination of the hard work and effort that these candidates have sacrificed," Webb said. "Reworked schedules, figuring out how to take care of their their children on random hours, some of them working multiple jobs and finding ways to get to class. Just to see it pay off in a way where they're actually making some professional progress.”
Josanique Everson hopes to land a job and career in advanced manufacturing. And it appears she’s well on her way. Before Friday's graduation ceremony, employers held on-the-spot, rapid-fire interviews with candidates, and Everson received no less than four job offers. She knows she has some choices to make.
"Where do I see myself 10, 15 years from now?" Everson said. "One of the companies, they have an opportunity for advancement and education, and when it's all said and done, I desire to be a journeywoman. So I have a whole bunch of different skills, maybe even venture off into my own entrepreneurial journey. It's just very exciting. The four interviews are going to be a whole lot to sift through, but I'm confident that I'll make the right decision for my overall future.”
Everson says that future also includes her young son, whom she hopes picks up her interest and skills in manufacturing. Other educational partners showed their support for the graduates at Friday’s ceremony, including the SUNY Educational Opportunity Center and OCM BOCES.
