Area Students Try Working With Their Hands

Mondau, October 16, 2006  

The Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board (FLWIB) first annual Finger Lakes Works…with their hands!, was a hammer smashing success.  The unique career day, which took the efforts of numerous volunteers and many months to plan, was designed to offer area students a first hand look at skilled trades and precision manufacturing careers that are available in the Finger Lakes region.  The event allowed 550 students and counselors/school administrators from 19 school districts an opportunity to speak with a wide array of area businesses, skilled labor professionals, union representatives, trade schools, colleges and Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES about possible skilled-trade and precision manufacturing careers.  In addition, attendees were given the chance to participate in hands-on demonstrations in areas such as masonry, CNC Machining, welding, heavy equipment operation and carpentry to name just a few. 

The Finger Lakes Works...with their hands! which took place on Thursday, October 5, 2006 at Rodman Lott and Son Farms, Route 414, Seneca Falls. N.Y., featured a special address by Assemblyman Brian Kolb who spoke on the importance of skilled trades in the local economy.  He also encouraged the students to tryout the many demonstrations and enter them with an open mind.  Kolb also stressed to the students to not allow others’ opinions to deter them from a future career in a skill trades profession.

The day was not just open to the future of the Finger Lakes region’s workforce; the FL WIB opened the event later in the day for older youth and those looking for a possible career change. 

“We are so thrilled the day was such a success and the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board thanks all the vendors, local companies, unions, volunteers, and the many others that helped make our first Finger Lakes Works…with their hands! a beneficial career event for the many students that were in attendance,” said Karen Springmeier, executive director of the Finger Lakes WIB.  “It is important for student to know these types of skilled jobs are in high demand in the Finger Lakes and if current trends continue, we will not have enough young people to meet the local demand.”
Besides the many hands-on and informational skill trades and precision exhibits, the event featured area colleges including Alfred State, Morrisville, and Monroe Community College discussing scholarships and programs they offer.  The New York State Department of Labor was also present to supply information about various apprenticeships programs that are available.

The mission of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board is to improve the economic well-being of job seekers and employees in the Finger Lakes region. The goal of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board is to increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, increase occupational skill attainment by participants; and, as a result, improve the quality of the workforce; reduce welfare dependency; and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the region. 

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