Oneida County and MVCC offer employment program for young adults

ROME, N.Y. — Oneida County and Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) are partnering to offer a Rome–based employment program to build the job skills of young adults.

The Oneida County Career Corps, based at MVCC’s Rome campus, is a work-experience program that serves as a bridge to connect young adults with the training they need to enter high-growth, well-paying careers.

“As we rebound from two years of disruption, this unique program will help young adults in Rome and the rural parts of central and western Oneida County access hands-on work experience that will pay them a wage as they build the skills they need to establish successful careers,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said in a news release.

Young adults aged 18-24 will gain work experience at local employers participating in the project. Training will hone their skills so they can find jobs as employers rebound and the regional economy recovers.

The program will provide work activities that engage the interest of young adults and build skills, provide or arrange for individualized support services, help participants acquire social entrepreneurship skills, promote job readiness and employability skills, help participants achieve financial literacy, provide opportunities for participants to interact with peers, and provide access to long-term support and developmental activities.

MVCC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education will operate the initiative, and Oneida County is using federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act monies to fund the program.

“We developed the Career Corps to meet the need of young adults who do not have any experience working and have the ability to enter the job market, but lack the training they need,” Franca Armstrong, associate VP of workforce development and dean of the Rome campus, said. “The funding we are receiving from Oneida County adds to our existing efforts to serve the community.”

Those interested in the program can contact Sarah Lam, director of the Center for Corporate and Community Education at (315) 334-7733 or email: slam@mvcc.edu.