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June 2024: Updates & Opportunities
Our full-service Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center is located in downtown Ithaca in Center Ithaca on the Commons, and we offer services for every job seeker. Tompkins Workforce New York is a collaboration of agencies with Tompkins County Workforce Development, the New York State Department of Labor, and lead partners. Every individual should be able to have a chance to meet their potential and we are here to help. Please visit our website to learn more and connect with us!
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 Do you enjoy driving or working with your hands? Do you feel called to serve your community? TCAT is seeking applicants for new bus operators, custodians, dispatchers, and mechanics. This non-profit corporation provides public transportation in Tompkins County, as well as career opportunities. TCAT boasts competitive wages, robust employee benefits, recession-proof work, and a harmonious work environment.
As reported by Cornell Cooperative Extension through the TENA (Transportation Equity Needs Assessment) survey, the public has a widespread desire to see bus service expansions. Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Tompkins County, TCAT reduced services due to a smaller ridership, but TCAT provided an essential service, so the buses continued to run. As ridership picks up and TCAT works to re-expand services, more applicants are needed to fill job openings.
TCAT is hosting open interview events for prospective bus operators on June 18th and 20th. If you love to drive and want to provide an essential service to your community, check out TCAT’s career page for more information. With wages for bus operators starting at $25.66, new hires can start earning money while they train and earn their CDL certification at no cost. The skills and certification you can earn at TCAT are useful in countless professions, so starting a career at TCAT is an investment in your future.
“You have a window office with a view that always changes,” said TCAT bus operator Bob Kaussner, when asked about why TCAT is a great place to work. There is a sense of security amongst the staff, since there is always a need for drivers in the workforce. General Manager Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones also works hard to support the staff and to foster a great environment, even periodically driving some of the bus routes himself.
All TCAT employees have the opportunity for mobility within TCAT. For example, many of the mechanics started as bus operators and trained in TCAT’s apprenticeship program. This apprenticeship is also a great program for rural workers who have experience with farm machinery. TCAT will ensure that all employees are well-trained in their positions, in order to provide quality services and high standards of safety. In addition, TCAT employees benefit from overtime incentives, great health insurance, a 401k, and UAW union membership.
To learn more about recruitment, contact Will Dillawn at wdillawn@tcatmail.com or visit the TCAT careers webpage. TCAT welcomes you to apply today and be part of a team of passionate and skilled transportation workers.
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 On June 5th, we hosted our 2nd Annual Disability Transition and Resource Fair at Ithaca High School. Representatives from service providers set up tables with resources and spoke to attendees about the services their organizations offer to individuals with disabilities. With 21 organizations represented and 50-60 attendees, this was a wonderful opportunity for community members to learn about local services that can help support people as they transition into adulthood, careers, independent living, and more.
Many attendees entered into a raffle, where the lucky winners won prizes such as gift cards, gift bags, movie passes, or books. Many thanks to Wegmans, GreenStar, Buffalo Street Books, Cinemapolis, Gimme! Coffee, and Unity House for donating the prizes!
If you were unable to attend the event, you can get connected with resources and information by contacting Scout Frost at sfrost@tompkins-co.org.
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 On April 18th, Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) hosted the April Youth Employment Resource Team (YERT) meeting. YERT, organized by Tompkins County Workforce Development, is a group of representatives from organizations invested in the empowerment of youth as they enter the workforce. The group meets monthly to discuss youth employment programs, challenges, and solutions in Tompkins County.
Leading the tour were Lillian Tomik, TC3 Workforce Development Coordinator and YERT member, and Victoria Zeppelin, Director of TC3's CollegeNow program and member of the Workforce Development Youth Oversight Committee (YOC). The focus of the tour was to view the facilities and learn about the programs and services TC3 offers to students and community members.
TC3 helps students explore career options by hosting career carnivals, where the purpose is not recruitment, but instead education about occupations so students can make informed decisions about their futures. The college often hosts recruitment fairs for jobs and internships as well. Other helpful events include career skills presentations, which outline skills and expectations in professional settings.
The programs highlighted on this tour were TC3 microcredentials. A microcredential is a set of college courses typically designed to teach specific skills which are in-demand in the job market. These programs can be completed more quickly than a degree or certificate, yet still offer valuable credentials once completed. The 14 current microcredential programs include: civil engineering technician, clinical medical assistant, early childhood assistant, electrical engineering technician, and food and beverage service. TC3’s programs allow students to better prepare for the workforce, which benefits the workers, employers, and the community.
The tour also showed YERT members services such as the community pantry and closet, tutoring, and counseling. All students can receive tutoring on subjects across curriculum, and student tutors can earn money by helping their peers succeed.
The college offers mental health counseling, a recovery space, and health and addiction education. Other campus resources are the Panther Pantry and Community Closet, which help address food insecurity and material needs in the community. All campus community members have access to food, household items, clothing, and additional resource information at no monetary cost. Supplies can be “purchased” through a points-system, in which individuals have a set number of points to spend each week.
 The campus also provides low-cost childcare services to children of TC3 students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members when space permits. There are programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The goal of these programs is to help TC3 families balance work, school, and childcare, and to provide a positive environment for the children’s development.
TC3 models how colleges can support the educational, emotional, and material needs of their students, staff, and faculty, as well as benefit the wider communities of Tompkins and Cortland Counties. For more information about TC3, visit their website.
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The Youth Employment Resource Team visited the Ithaca ReUse Center for an informational tour on May 16th. Sam Queen, who coordinates the volunteer program, led the team around the store and sorting rooms while describing the programs Finger Lakes ReUse has to offer.
Finger Lakes ReUse is growing at an unforeseen rate, indicating a wide need for alternatives to waste dumping and recycling. In response to this need, ReUse is more than a second-hand store; It also provides programs and services such as salvaging and storing used goods, training workers, providing access to materials, house deconstruction, and item repair.
With “Community, Economy, and Environment” as its motto, Finger Lakes ReUse is working to reduce waste and help people access quality materials at affordable prices. The non-profit also provides employment and volunteer opportunities for youth and underserved communities. Employees, interns, and volunteers work as a team to foster a quality work environment and provide important services to the community.
Each employee in the back-of-house, where sorting takes place, develops specialized knowledge about their respective category of material. With this knowledge, they clean, test, and price each item. There is more labor involved in the process than it seems; Every item that makes it out onto the store floor has been handled by multiple employees.
The ReUse Center trains workers in its ReSET program, where training focuses on soft skills, such as showing up on time and communicating effectively. Youth workers are also recruited at ReUse through Workforce Development’s JobLink and Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
“Everyone deserves a chance to access living wage jobs,” Sam Queen says. For more information on the programs and services Finger Lakes ReUse has to offer, visit their website.
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Direct to Work Informational Session
Please join us on Zoom or at the Career Center on June 25th at 10:30am for an informational session on Direct to Work - Pathways to Manufacturing. Whether attending online or in-person, attendees should register in advance and receive a Zoom link.
The Pathways to Manufacturing program is a full-time, four-week training program to equip people with the technical skills needed by area manufacturers. Upon completion, participants get a one-time $500 stipend, guaranteed interview with a participating manufacturer, and can take the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) exam–a national credential.
The Pathways to Manufacturing program is a blend of online learning and hands-on experience using Virtual Reality, employer engagement, and team-building exercises. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing processes and techniques and spend an entire day with each participating manufacturer, meeting with several departments and Human Resources.
For more information about the Pathways to Manufacturing program, contact Cindy Sloan at csloan@tompkins-co.org.
 NYS Department of Labor Webinars
The New York State Department of Labor is hosting informational sessions on Zoom every weekday this month except for June 19th for Juneteenth. These virtual workshops are free and available to the public through online signup links. This month's topics include interview techniques, managing job loss, childcare assistance, and public speaking.
Free Semiconductor Training for Veterans at TC3
Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) is now part of Penn State University’s National Science Foundation project to bring military veterans into the nanotechnology workforce. TC3 will work with Cornell to offer veterans in the region a free 12-week program about the principles and practices required for success in the semiconductor industry.
The Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing Certificate Program (MNCP) is specifically for veterans of the United States military. This NSF-funded project is meant to help train the future workforce for the growing microelectronics and semiconductor industries in the region. Seven community college partners, including TC3, will partner with neighboring universities to carry out the project. Faculty from Penn State’s Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization (CNEU) will deliver live-streamed lectures to students, and the Cornell NanoScale Facility will host all hands-on lab work for the local cohort in the cleanroom environment.
Veterans and active-duty military members, as well as their spouses and dependents, are welcome to enroll in this fall course at no cost. At the end of the 12-week course, each participant will earn a Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing Certificate from Penn State. All will be eligible to take ASTM International exams for three nanotechnology stackable certifications.
The class will be offered in the fall through Tompkins Cortland Community College BIZ. Register online by July 1st to receive instructions for enrollment. For more information, visit this TC3 webpage or contact Carrie Coates Whitmore, Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, at biz@tompkinscortland.edu.
 How It's MADE: Manufacturing and Development Expo
On October 10th at 9am-2pm, Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) is hosting the annual Manufacturing and Development Expo in the BorgWarner Morse TEC Field House. Businesses are invited to register for the event by July 19th. This will be a great opportunity to engage high schoolers and showcase manufacturing as a viable field. Create interactive displays and activities to inspire the next generation of manufacturers!
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The Tompkins County Workforce Development Board met on Tuesday, May 21st to review workforce updates, as well as discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Tompkins County transportation system.
The Board welcomed Cornell Cooperative Extension's Environmental Issue Leader Dawn Montanye, who presented on the results of a county-wide transportation survey conducted by Tompkins County's Transportation Equity Coalition. This survey, dubbed TENA (Transportation Equity Needs Assessment), had a high volume of respondents and showed how Tompkins County residents feel about local transportation systems. Many residents feel that they are underserved and hope to see improvements, especially in bus services. Even residents who own cars expressed that they would use more public transportation if services were to be expanded. Read more on CCE's website.
The Board discussed solutions such as shuttle service, rideshare programs, creating a program to support low-income youth obtaining drivers' license, and collaboration with partners. Challenges include increasing the number of TCAT drivers and mechanics, as well as earning more public trust and awareness of alternative services.
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