December 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!

New Tompkins County Website Launched

The new Tompkins County website is live! County Administration and staff across departments have been hard at work to bring you a more accessible online experience. We hope this new website makes it easier to find the resources you need. If you experience issues navigating the website, please provide feedback through this form.

Workforce Development’s “Find a Job” Page

Workforce Development’s “Find a Job” page now features options to search and filter job openings. Employers are invited to complete a job opening submission form for any positions located in Tompkins County. Jobseekers, stay tuned for more upcoming opportunities!

Youth Opportunity Map

Workforce Development has collaborated with partners on YERT (Youth Employment Resource Team) to create the Youth Opportunity Map. This map shows where in the Tompkins County area youth can find resources. The following categories are currently mapped and organized by color: health, mental health, job training and career services, education, housing and shelter, disability and transitioning to adulthood, food, addiction recovery and harm reduction, community centers, and transportation.

While this map is curated for youth, many resources included can help people of all ages. We hope that this project serves as a guide for young people navigating services and resources in Tompkins County.

Special thanks to Jordan Governale of Significant Elements, Courtney Horner of the Department of Planning and Sustainability, and the Youth Services Department staff for their support of this project.

Workforce Development's Restructure

In reflection of Workforce Development's 2023 restructure, the Workforce Development Board and Career Center are now hosted under the same department webpage. The Board section will continue to host Board and Committee member, policy, and meeting information as usual.

Hospitality Employment Training Program at GIAC

The winter cohort of the Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) will begin January 2025, so apply now to be considered for the upcoming session hosted at Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC). Qualifying applicants are over 18 years old and residents of Tompkins County, and priority is given to those who live in the City of Ithaca and/or have low income. No experience in hospitality necessary.

Participants will receive six weeks of career training and certificate opportunities tailored to their career path. The program includes employment coaching, resume workshops, mock interviews, business tours, and computer proficiency classes. Each participant can also spend up to 120 hours in a paid internship to gain experience. HETP will even pay for interview and workplace clothing, haircuts, childcare, and bus passes for participants who need them.

Upon completion of the training and internship, graduates are awarded a stipend for their hard work. Those who need additional support after the program is complete can request assistance during the transition to their new jobs.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To learn more, contact Lonnie Jenkins, HETP Program Coordinator, at LJenkins@cityofithaca.org or 607-272-3622.

Featured Job Openings

Check out the jobs we are currently featuring:

• Mental Health Clinician at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca ($70,000-$80,000 annually)
• Plumber/HVAC/General Labor at Comfort Systems ($18-$20 hourly)
• Food Truck Operations Manager at bop! ($17 hourly starting rate)
• Seasonal Shelter Services Worker at Tompkins County ($29.64 hourly)

Visit the “Find a Job” page for more opportunities.

Upcoming Events & Workshops

Webinars for Jobseekers

The New York State Department of Labor is hosting informational sessions on Zoom every weekday for the rest of December except for the 25th and 27th. These virtual workshops are free and available to the public through online signup links. While most of the webinars are in English, some topics are also covered in Spanish during separate webinars. This month's topics include disability and disclosure, SUNY micro-credentials, and civil service.

For questions regarding the newsletter, please contact Scout Frost, Communications Specialist: sfrost@tompkins-co.org