Immediate Release

Thursday, September 13, 2007 
For Information Contact

David Mathis
798-5908

Picente: Open Labs, Special Programs Planned At Cornhill’s King School Technology Center
 

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., today announced that the Neighborhood Networks Technology Center at Utica ’s Martin Luther King School will host several special programs over the coming weeks.

The technology center, operated by the Oneida County Office of Workforce Development, is also offering expanded open computer lab hours in addition to the free workforce preparation and training programs offered at the Technology Center , located in the school’s library.

“The Technology Center represents a tremendous investment of resources to provide the residents of the King School neighborhood with access to technology and also access to programming that residents can use to improve their lives,” Picente said. “I encourage the community to make the most of this resource.”

Special events include:

1.      Two special workshops featuring both educational and employment opportunities at Mohawk Valley Community College are scheduled for September 17th and September 25th from 5 to 6 p.m. “MVCC is the gateway to educational advancement for thousands of people every year,” said David Mathis, Oneida County ’s Director of Workforce Development. “The college offers a wide range of degree, non-credit and professional courses that can help the residents of the King School area get ahead. The college is also an important employer, with both full- and part-time openings. It is very important that the people of the King School area learn that MVCC represents opportunity.”

2.      An outreach session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on September 20th for young adults who are not in school, who are not working or who are working in jobs with little or no future. “Workforce Development wants to help connect young adults with training and education so that they can qualify for good-paying jobs,” said Mathis. “This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants a better job to learn how to take the first steps to get the education and training needed for success.”

3.      A four-week series of workshops is being presented by the Family Nurturing Center . The Workshops will cover a wide range of topics to help parents improve the quality of life for both themselves and their children. The workshops are offered from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on October 4th, October 11th, October 18th and October 25th. For reservations, contact Jerome Anderson at 735-7525, ext. 230.

4.      Financial planning workshops will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on October 16th and October 23rd. “Budgeting is one of the major issues impacting working families, and we want to help families plan to make the most of their hard-earned dollars so that all of their basic needs are met,” said Mathis. “As the winter season approaches, budgeting to juggle higher fuel costs will matter even more than in the summer.”

The Technology Center also offers no-cost instruction in areas that include:

·        Computer skills: Learn the basic skills of using a computer, including computer literacy, keyboarding, using e-mail and Internet and building a Web site. Instruction in Microsoft Office will include Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

·        Math & Reading in the Workplace: This course will cover the basics of math and reading that are necessary to succeed in the workplace of today.

·        Job & Career Skills:  Covers job readiness, interviews, resumes and filling out applications. Other topics: Time management, goal setting & effective job searches. Career information is provided.

·        Life Skills: Topics will include finances, budgeting, tax payments, naturalization, parenting, language development, finding housing and transportation.

·        Introduction to Digital Technology: Use of video & digital cameras, scanners and printers.

·        Education Preparation: Learn how to prepare to take the GED and/or SAT exams. Also, learn how to prepare for the process of entering college.

Both group and individualized instruction is available. For information, contact Jerome Anderson at 735-7525, ext. 230.

“The technology center at King School is an outstanding community asset that came about through the efforts of the Utica City School District , the Utica MHA’s HOPE VI project and Oneida County . We want people to use it to help themselves,” Mathis said.