BATAVIA – Over 4,000 participants benefited in 2025 from workforce development and career exploration programs through workforce partnerships supported by the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC).

Speaking to the GCEDC and GGLDC Boards of Directors on Thursday, Workforce Consultant Sheila Eigenbrod shared results of outreach that included over 30 school engagement events and major initiatives including the local launch of a national career readiness assessment, creation of a career roadmap and development of new partnerships.

The past year of workforce development activities included the local launch of ACT WorkKeys and National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC), development of a Genesee Valley BOCES ACT WorkKeys Testing Center, and creation of a Genesee County Career Roadmap.

Eigenbrod credits Timothy Lonnen, one of the first students in Genesee County to complete the ACT WorkKeys assessments, for summing up the impact of workforce development outreach.

By demonstrating essential workplace skills, Lonnen and other students at Pavilion High School received NCRC credentials that are recognized by employers supporting Genesee County’s Work Ready Community initiative.

“He said it was going to be nice for him and other students to put on paper what they know in their heads,” Eigenbrod said. “It was an ‘a-ha’ moment. Just like how events such as GLOW With Your Hands succeed because they put real careers in the hands of our students, ACT WorkKeys will succeed because it puts a real career tool in their hands.”

Eigenbrod and GCEDC EVP of Business and Workforce Development Chris Suozzi credited the commitment and energy of partners in growing Genesee County workforce, including Genesee Valley BOCES, Genesee County school districts and high school tech teachers, Genesee County Business Education Alliance, GLOW Workforce Investment Board, Genesee County Career Center, Genesee County Youth Bureau, SUNY Genesee Community College, and Rochester Technology Manufacturing Association among others.

“Our shared mission is to inspire, prepare and support a workforce ecosystem,” said Suozzi. “It’s a team effort that produces real results. Students are graduating high school with career-readiness certificates, hours of apprenticeship training, and dozens of hands-on connections to healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades and agriculture careers.”

Support for local workforce development efforts in 2025 included a $25,000 funding allocation from Genesee County, along with the GGLDC’s annual workforce development budget.

“Thanks to the support of the Genesee County Legislature and dozens of business, education and workforce partners, Genesee County demonstrates real solutions to the national workforce challenges,” said Mark Masse, President & CEO of the GCEDC.