Contact: John E. Holt

(315) 793-6037

Eannace Praises Outstanding Response
to InVEST Program

UTICA -- More than 100 area residents across Herkimer-Madison-Oneida counties have enrolled for training in the region’s in-demand jobs through the InVEST program, Workforce Investment Board Executive Director John Holt announced today.

Holt also announced that the region’s deadline to enroll residents in InVEST programs has been extended until June.

"The response to these programs has been outstanding," said Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace, Jr. "By going out to Rome and Utica to reach out to the people of Oneida County, we have made great strides to sign up residents who can take advantage of these programs. When you consider that we were competing with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I think this shows a great effort and a great level of interest."

"The efforts by community partners such as Utica’s Cosmopolitan Center, St. Paul’s Baptist Church and JCTOD Outreach Center and both campuses of Mohawk Valley Community College have really made a difference. As we continue our outreach efforts across the county, we hope to work with other community partners to continue our success," Eannace said.

In November, the Workforce Investment Board received $2.89 million to train about 500 people as part of the New York State Department of Labor’s InVEST (Individual Vocational Education and Skills Training) Program. Since then, additional awards from the state have boosted the region’s total to $3.4 million as it seeks to train more than 650 people.

The region, which was the first in the state to receive grants under InVEST, has until June to enroll area resident in InVEST programs, Holt said. That’s an extension from the March date originally announced.

"We really appreciate the cooperation of the New York State Department of Labor on this," said Holt. "The goal of this program is to train people and get them to work. The state realizes that and in response to the high degree of interest from this region even during the holiday time, they are willing to work with us to enroll every person we can. I’m very pleased with our progress and optimistic we can fill all the training slots by June."

Despite the great response to InVEST, there are still more than 250 openings in programs funded through JOB Start, the arm of InVEST that is designed to train unemployed and underemployed participants for jobs in the local job market, Holt said.

The grants support programs offered by Mohawk Valley Community College, the BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education, the Utica School of Commerce, and Herkimer County Community College in high-demand job areas such as Teacher Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Welder, Machinist, Carpenter, and Computer Network Technician.

There are eligibility requirements for the grants, which are targeted to help increase the incomes of families whose incomes fall at or below 200 percent of the poverty level.

Employers have also shown increasing interest in the program, Holt said.

"We keep getting more grants through what’s called JOB Ladder, one piece of InVEST aimed at helping employers upgrade the skills of their workers. It’s a great way for employers to retain workers, and many employers think so as well," he said.

Holt also said that InVEST openings are subject to availability. He urged residents to contact the Working Solutions One-Stop Career Centers in Utica, Rome, Oneida and Herkimer now, before programs are completely filled.

Herkimer County One-Stop Center: 867-1450.