Success Stories

Advanced Manufacturing Machining Training
WDI provided support to a collaborative training effort in the Finger Lakes region to increase the number of qualified advanced manufacturing machinists.  The program is part of the regional strategy to develop a pipeline of qualified job candidates who possess the skills required by advanced manufacturers. A first round of training resulted in the placement of all trainees who completed the 500 hours of combined classroom and applied training. Based on the large number of inquiries from regional manufacturers, additional rounds of training are planned.

“Get Ready for Life”
WDI provides support annually to “Get Ready for Life”, a program run through a partnership between the Rochester City School District, Rochester Careers and Construction, Inc, the City of Rochester, Monroe County, and WDI.  The program provides opportunities for high school students from underserved populations to work side by side with union trades people in the construction industry. The effort is part of a larger goal by the City and the Building Trades to prepare and connect minority graduating seniors with jobs in the construction industry. 

 
Transitioning Laid-off Employees Back to Work
WDI provided support for an innovative outplacement/networking program to employees of Schweizer Helicopter in Elmira when the company lost a federal grant and laid off staff.  Ninety percent of the participants found new employment within two months of completing the program. The program was so successful, WDI is now using it for a new initiative targeted to Veterans.

Assisting Veterans to Find Employment
WDI collaborated with the Rochester Veterans Outreach Center, the NYS Department of Labor, and Monroe Community College (MCC) to provide a series of outplacement/networking training sessions designed to assist veterans to find employment more quickly. Results of the first cohort that completed the training were excellent, with 65% finding a job within 60 days of training.  Improvements in the program have been implemented, and additional pilots are underway.  If the enhanced program meets with success, it will be moved to other regions of the state.

Green and Sustainability Training
WDI is collaborating with the United States Green Building Council to integrate green constuction principles into existing building training programs used by local unions.  This train-the-trainer program has already trained 1,000 workers.