By Brian M. Durant
It’s a fascinating moment in Central New York, especially if you’re looking at your career pathways and potential.
It seems wherever we turn we see new industries forming or established companies breaking ground on exciting new initiatives.
This optimistic spirit speaks well of the creativity and determination of our business and industry leaders and the promise these ventures offer our communities.
What they need to succeed, more than ever, is a workforce determined to keep pace with emerging career skills, training and trends.
That’s where Cayuga Community College and other institutions fill an essential role in our region.
In any industry, the skills needed to succeed are not stagnant. Employers are always looking for a workforce that’s ready to change and grow with them — and community colleges like Cayuga are a prime resource to access training and courses. We actively work with employers to make sure our courses stress the skills they need in their workforce, thereby helping the employees or potential employees identify new career opportunities. Everybody wins with this team-based approach and it’s a theory we’ve embraced at Cayuga.
At the heart of our efforts in Cayuga County is the emerging Cayuga Community College Workforce Development Center.
Located on Grant Avenue in the city of Auburn, once opened this facility will serve as a one-stop option for those looking to identify career options, access employment services, register for trainings and more. Cayuga’s Office of Community Education and Workforce Development will be located in the building, as will other career- and employment-dedicated agencies.
The Workforce Development Center is under construction, but we expect that it will open in late 2024 or in 2025.
At our Fulton Campus, construction is moving quickly on the new Oswego County Regional Police Academy. This exciting project, developed in conjunction with the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, will create an opportunity for students to simultaneously earn their degree and complete Phase I of the academy. It will also connect students with local law enforcement agencies. This not only helps our students identify potential careers, but also creates a pool of possible employees for regional agencies and employers.
Oswego County was a tremendous supporter of this initiative, awarding $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to Cayuga for its completion. Construction should be complete this year.
On both campuses, students and community members can take advantage of classes at our Advanced Manufacturing Institutes. With Micron and its promise of significant career opportunities in the near future on everyone’s mind, it’s important now more than ever to secure a seat in training programs. Cayuga offers extensive manufacturing-focused training programs. One of the strengths of these opportunities include credit- and non-credit options. Already earned a degree but you need to take one or two classes to boost your skills? We offer that. Need to earn a degree in the next one or two years in mechanical or electrical technology? We offer that, too. All of these courses and programs are designed with your future success in mind.
Workforce and training opportunities at Cayuga include our partnerships with local school districts. Cayuga has an array of courses and pathways for high school students and we’re always looking for ways to expand these platforms to prepare students for the future.
We’ll have more announcements about degree pathways for students in the months ahead. But I want to mention two specific opportunities for students that are already available.
Cayuga offers two dual enrollment distance learning pathways connected to manufacturing: advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance technology. Students who complete these programs will not only earn certificates, but also the skills needed to begin pursuing a successful career in the regional manufacturing market.
Cayuga and our like-minded community partners are here to help, no matter what your current or planned career pathway. We know the importance and skill of our workforce and we believe their undeniable talent is an essential element to our regional growth and success.
That’s why we’re here, with the classes and degrees you need to take the next step in your career.
Let us know what we can do for you.
