Workforce Resources in Tompkins County
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce and numerous community partners recognize how important a dedicated, skilled, and well-matched workforce is to the success of your business or organization. Please access to area workforce organizations, programs, support staff, and educational institutions below which may help your business supplement and enhance your recruitment and retention efforts.
The Tompkins Chamber supports workforce development needs in numerous ways, including offering an On-the-Job Training Grant Program for employers – with the goal of supporting recovery friendly workplaces. Learn more about our OJT Grant Program here.
Tompkins County
Workforce Development Board
The Workforce Development Board administers federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds and other funds in a locally planned and controlled manner, providing short and long‐term planning for the workforce so companies can grow and expand and build workers’ capacity to pursue vocationally and economically rewarding work. Learn more here.
Workforce NY &
Department of Labor Office
Workforce NY has programs for job seekers, and can support them with placements in area employment opportunities. It is always a best practice to list your jobs with the NYS Department of Labor; further, the Workforce NY office may have on-the-job training grant funding for your business. Click for more employer information.
Ithaca Area Economic Development
Workforce Initiatives
In 2022, Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) began increased their focus on workforce development in partnership with area employers and other organizations. IAED has partnered with the Alliance of Manufacturing & Technology to support training for advanced manufacturing, and they’ve also partnered with others to create the Direct to Work Program.
Connect with Area Colleges and Youth Employment Programs
Area colleges have thousands of student who graduate annually, and each year hundreds of these students might prefer to stay in Ithaca and Tompkins County if they could find the right “good job”. Connecting with these students while they are still attending college, as well as offering internships, work study placements, and part-time employment opportunities – could help connect you to your workforce of tomorrow.
Handshake is a website resource employers should consider using if they want their opportunities seen by students and the career service professionals who are supporting them in their job searches. All of our local colleges utilize the Handshake platform to connect students to career opportunities. Explore more at the links below.
YES - Summer Youth Employment & Year Round Programs
Youth Employment Service (YES) is a free program of the Ithaca Youth Bureau. We envision a world where ALL teens grow into flourishing adults, and our mission is to level, clear, and widen that path. We meet teens where they are and connect them to opportunities to work, grow, and lead in their community. Learn more here.
P Tech School
TST BOCES hosts the P Tech School in Tompkins County – a high school focused on STEM education and work opportunities for high school students from districts throughout the County. Our P Tech School hosts programs for Advanced Manufacturing and Computer Science, and is seeking employer partners to serve as mentors, hosts, and potential employers for graduating students in the future. More information here.
Partner Organizations with Workforce Development Programs
Several area organizations offer workforce training programs, and participate in efforts to create career pathways and pipelines to new employment opportunities. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you see a partnership that looks right for your business!
Alcohol & Drug Council - Healthy Workforce NY
Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County is the lead partner for regional workforce programs supporting people in recovery, reducing stigma regarding substance use disorder, and providing resources to employers to create healthy recovery friendly workplaces. Learn more about HWN and other programs here.
Historic Ithaca Work Preserve & Significant Elements
For more than 10 years, Significant Elements has been home to Work Preserve, Historic Ithaca’s job readiness and placement program. Participants build transferable job skills, confidence, and independence through hands-on work at Significant Elements. Learn more here about ways employers can partner.
Ithaca ReUse - ReSET Program
ReSET is a free job training program offered by Finger Lakes ReUse. ReSET (Skills and Employment Training) trainings are embedded in hands-on learning environments throughout ReUse Center departments. Learn more about ways employers can partner with ReSET here.
Hospitality Employment Training Program - HETP (GIAC)
H.E.T.P. trains all participants to be work ready in the hospitality industry and office administrative work. They receive over 60 hours of instruction in skills and certifications in the hospitality industry and office administrative work. Participants get up to 120 hours of on-the-job training and coaching. Learn more about HETP here.
Reach out if you’re interested in starting programming with us. We’d love to hear from you!