State of the Workforce
Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties

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Construction

Key Factors

New York State Department of Labor projections document that the region will need to fill openings equal to:

This growth is likely to be exceeded in the short term by the construction associated with the HOPE VI project in Utica’s Cornhill sector.

Policy Actions

The WIB has developed a broad-based, multi-phased plan of action to address both short-term and long-term recruitment issues.

The Mohawk Valley Construction Industry Development coalition, which has completed its second annual highly successful Construction Career Day, has developed programs to recruit adults into programs that provide high-quality skills to potential employees, increase interest among secondary students in vocational education programs that cover these career areas, and increase the overall positive visibility of construction careers. The project earned a “Promising Practice” designation from the New York State Department of Labor.

The WIB is also participating in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Skilled Trades Initiative to help prospective construction workers who are still in school learn about career opportunities.

To help develop future employees, the WIB and Oneida County Workforce Development are working with the Utica Municipal Housing Authority on its YouthBuild project designed to help find employment for young people who did not complete school.

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