BATAVIA, NY – A new resource for students, parents, and educators to discover career-readiness programs as well as to engage local employers is now available to help youth connect to rewarding careers in the GLOW region.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center has unveiled the Genesee County Career Roadmap, which will be available at various locations, including at GLOW With Your Hands,  and online at www.gcedc.com/roadmap. 

The roadmap provides information on career paths, apprenticeship-style programs, and opportunities for students and graduates to find career opportunities in Genesee County, according to GCEDC Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development Chris Suozzi.

“No matter what path a student decides to embark on after graduation or throughout the K-12 journey, there are opportunities available for a variety of skillsets, training backgrounds, and professional career interests,” Suozzi said. “In addition to our role of attracting and expanding private sector industries to the region, our local workforce development ecosystem is preparing and educating the future workforce, and the roadmap is another resource local students can take advantage of in their career journey.”

The Genesee County Career Roadmap is intended to start early conversations about careers and provide helpful information for parents and educators in their efforts to assist youth in exploring various career paths. The roadmap also features information and contacts for 26 manufacturing and skilled trades employers and career-readiness resources across Genesee County.

Suozzi noted that the opportunity for Genesee County’s workforce is growing as companies such as Edwards Vacuum, Oxbo, and Graham Manufacturing are completing major construction projects.

“We are experiencing record capital investment across Genesee County as manufacturers and other high-tech industries are seeking to hire hundreds of people, our housing stock is growing, and our workforce development programs are experiencing record-high participation. Now is the time for our students to evaluate their options, and we are here to guide students, educators, and families throughout this process,” said Suozzi.

In addition, Suozzi has partnered with WBTA to launch a new on-site pre-game event at select high school football games this fall. “WBTA High School Gameday Presented by Coach SwazZ” will broadcast live on WBTA and on social media channels to not only highlight the games, but discuss career-readiness opportunities for high school students.

“There should be an element of fun for our youth in exploring career opportunities so we thought this would be a unique way to do that,” Suozzi added.  “We modeled the high school game day similar to ESPN’s College Gameday and when you watch that program every Saturday from a different college venue, you can see all the fun everyone is having getting ready for the game.”

The WBTA High School Gameday schedule will be released in the coming weeks. To learn more about the Genesee County Career Roadmap, WBTA High School Gameday appearances, and other workforce development opportunities, please contact Chris Suozzi at [email protected] or 585-343-4866 ext. 11.