Training for occupations in growing sectors throughout the Finger Lakes are available for the public to take through Finger Lakes Community College. The college recently expanded to hosting classes at the Waterloo Community Center. Now, there are a total of seven sites in the region where the institution offers courses.
And the courses were engineered to be practical, said Todd Sloane, who oversees the workforce program. Workforce programs are focused on in-demand occupations in high-growth sectors.
“Being a community college we really focus on jobs that require some education after high school, but not necessarily a four-year degree or a graduate degree,” Sloane said. “And there’s a lot of those. Most in-demand occupations require less than two years of education after high school. It’s definitely a good time to just look at what all of your options are and make a thoughtful decision.”
Sloane said he wishes he took some of these opportunities himself.
“I had school debt when I graduated with my four-year degree,” he added. “And now, getting training like this, going in to an occupation and advancing with my employer through tuition assistance, I could probably have the same degree and have it been paid for in full.”
In our region, Sloane said, advanced manufacturing jobs are plentiful. Not your traditional mass production-type manufacturing, but high-tech jobs that produce products and goods.
“Healthcare and skill trades, these are also now high-tech jobs when you’re talking about solar and alternate forms of energy in high-efficiency homes,” Sloane explained. “And then IT. Those are the four big sectors. Roughly, 75% of the in-demand jobs in those sectors are what we call technical jobs.”
Sloane said SUNY has grant funding available for these courses, which he said range from $1,000-$5,000. Those interested can apply online.
The college released its upcoming classes here:
- “Foundations in Advanced Manufacturing, which covers core knowledge for those entering advanced manufacturing and uses virtual reality headsets for skills training. Successful graduates receive the nationally recognized Certified Production Technician credentials in safety and quality. The class runs Jan. 13 to April 20, Monday and Thursday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- The Certified Patient Care Technician course prepares students for the Level I certification exam. Successful graduates will qualify to support nurses, doctors, and other medical staff with less than a year of training. It runs Jan. 17 to April 26, Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. or Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- The Residential Electrician course teaches electrical theory, wiring and installation techniques, and safety procedures. It prepares students to start a career as an entry-level residential electrician or electrician apprentice. The course runs Jan. 17 to April 26 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.”
Classes are offered at the Bloomfield Central School District, Clifton Springs Library, FLCC Geneva Campus Center, Macedon Public Library, FLCC Newark Campus Center, Waterloo Community Center, and Yates County Workforce Development Office.
Rebecca is a veteran multimedia journalist serving as one of our core reporters in the Finger Lakes region. She is responsible for telling stories that matter to every day Upstate New Yorkers. Have a question or lead? Send it to [email protected].