BUFFALO, N.Y. — SUNY Jamestown Community College was awarded the Community Partner of the Year Award for Chautauqua County at Goodwill of Western New York’s Annual Pathways to Success event on Oct. 19. Grant Umberger, director of Workforce Development at JCC, accepted the award on behalf of JCC.
In the fall of 2022, Goodwill of WNY received funding to offer a four-week training program entitled Goodskills Career Builder, and the resources to pursue a presence in the Chautauqua County area. This funding was the start of a three-year partnership between Goodwill of WNY and JCC’s Workforce Development and Career Services departments.
The collaboration provides office space for Goodwill employees, a presence in the Jamestown area, and allows for Goodskills students to access JCC facilities, JCC student support services, and the opportunity to continue with short-term trainings through JCC Workforce Development or academic programs. Additionally, having a local presence gives Goodwill the opportunity to connect with Chautauqua County employers, allowing for job fairs for the Goodskills program on the Jamestown campus.
“JCC’s collaboration and meaningful partnership has been crucial in achieving our mutual goals,” explained Joani Higgins, director of Workforce Development for Goodwill of WNY. “JCC assisted in planting the seeds of awareness for Goodskills Career Builder, combined efforts from the community to create pipelines for enrollment into workforce programs, and paved career pathways into manufacturing that will be the key to successfully bridging the gap in the workforce ecosystem in Western New York. We value JCC’s contributions and the community’s openness to support this program, and look forward to continued success together.”
This no-cost program connects individuals with advanced manufacturing employers and provides foundational training in OSHA 10-Hour General Safety, forklift operation, financial literacy, soft skills, interviewing, job placement, information on workforce and academic programming in advanced manufacturing available at JCC, and case management for three years after completion of the program.
“This partnership is a great opportunity for our campus and our community,” Umberger said. “It’s no secret that there is a shortage of workers, especially in advanced manufacturing. Goodskills program fosters the growth of a workforce, all the while providing the technical and soft skills needed to be successful in the workplace.”
The Chautauqua County Goodskills program is housed on JCC’s Jamestown Campus on the second floor of the Hultquist Library. This newly-refurbished space is primarily used for Workforce Development contract training and advanced manufacturing programs, in addition to the Goodskills cohorts.
For more information about Goodwill of Western New York’s Goodskills program, visit goodwillwny.org/workforce.
SUNY JCC offers more than 60 programs, 16-to-1 student-faculty ratio, and affordability with approximately 80% of students receiving financial aid. Workforce Development at JCC bridges the needs of employers, the community, and individuals by providing learning opportunities to succeed personally and professionally. For more information on short-term training opportunities through JCC Workforce Development, visit sunyjcc.edu/workforce.