New WDB Grant Focuses on Workers with Disabilities

The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties (WDB/HMO) has received a nearly $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) Project, funded by the Apprenticeship Building America grant, will develop job training programs that will help connect local job seekers with high-demand industries.

The project advances the U.S. Department of Labor’s efforts to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship by increasing the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that use Registered Apprenticeship and improving the access to and performance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs for underrepresented and underserved communities, with individuals with disabilities as the primary participants.

Program participants will receive career guidance, assessment and training in a chosen field, such as manufacturing, IT, healthcare or the trades. The funding will give these job seekers 18 years older with a diagnosed disability the workforce training and skills they need to succeed. The project is available across an eleven-county region: Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Onondaga and Cortland counties.

“We are looking forward to bringing together some awesome partners that include the Resource Center for Independent Living and the Central New York Labor Agency, as well as the corporate, community and educational partners that will help us reach out into all parts of the region we plan to serve,” says Alice Savino, Executive Director of the WDB.

“Over the next 4 years, RADAR seeks to connect with employers, supportive service agencies, and training providers to develop a pipeline to an apprenticeship,” says Project Director Sommer Edwards. “Our goal is to promote current apprenticeship programs within the Trades and Manufacturing, while also advocating for new occupations to jump on board. RADAR provides an opportunity for us to address the workforce shortage, while also providing employment and educational opportunities to those in need.”

To learn more about our apprenticeship programs, go here: https://www.working-solutions.org/training-grant-programs/apprenticeships

This program is 100% funded by a United States Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) award of $2,999,993.