Just a few months ago, Sidney resident Jayde Trask was scrolling Facebook, uncertain about her future and struggling to find steady work. Today, thanks to a new manufacturing bootcamp, she’s charting a whole new career path—and she’s not alone. Trask is one of nine Otsego and Delaware County residents who recently completed the intensive four-week program, designed to launch workers into local manufacturing jobs.
Offered by SUNY Oneonta’s Extended and Community Learning (ExCL) Center in collaboration with several community partners, the program culminated in an Oct. 2 recognition ceremony where the students received their Manufacturing Bootcamp microcredential.
The program taught me more than I expected. My goal now is to find a job where I can be my best...
“I saw an opportunity to get out into the workforce and find a long-term career without having to move outside my community,” says Trask. “The program taught me more than I expected. My goal now is to find a job where I can be my best – maybe operate a CNC machine and become a programmer in the future.”
Students completed 100 hours of classroom instruction at the ExCL Center, 20 hours of hands-on instruction at local manufacturing facilities and two days resume writing and mock interviewing with the SUNY Oneonta Career Planning and Networking Center. Students also toured five local manufacturing companies to learn more about their products and production.
This program was designed with flexible instruction and applied learning experiences to directly address the priorities of our local employers.
“SUNY Oneonta’s Advanced Manufacturing Training is an accelerated program with a clear end goal,” says Misty Fields, Director of the SUNY Oneonta Extended and Community Learning (ExCL) Center. “Since its ribbon cutting last year, the SUNY Oneonta ExCL Center has actively pursued opportunities to deliver workforce development initiatives tailored to the needs of our regional industries,” said Fields. “This program was designed with flexible instruction and applied learning experiences to directly address the priorities of our local employers. As a result, participants are now prepared for manufacturing careers or registered apprenticeship programs.”
In-person and hands-on classes covered a wide-range of instruction from technical writing to manufacturing safety, blueprint reading, measuring devices, hand tools, battery assembly, soldering and shop-floor math. Local manufacturers, Brooks Manufacturing, Ioxus and Custom Electronics, hosted students in their facilities for tours and more direct instruction alongside manufacturing professionals.
It allowed us to take people from the community to give them hands-on training, which they can take with them to any job...
“Ioxus was glad to be a part of the manufacturing training program, as it allowed us to take people from the community to give them hands-on training, which they can take with them to any job, or can help them be hired with Ioxus,” says Chad Hall, Co-Founder and President of Ioxus in Oneonta.
“I don’t believe most people realize just how many manufacturers are here in our region, or the fact that we are all seeking qualified employees,” says Bradford Brooks, President of Brooks’ Machine Products in Unadilla. “Training programs like this one can help us build that needed awareness and inspire more people to consider pursuing manufacturing careers here in Otsego County.”
Upon successful completion, the training program offered participants a $1,000 stipend, transportation assistance, a laptop, job interviews and placement support.
My favorite part of the training program was getting out in the community to tour manufacturing facilities...
“My favorite part of the training program was getting out in the community to tour manufacturing facilities,” says Dawn Rowe, Unadilla resident and program participant. “It gave me a greater sense of what they do and what they are seeking from their employees. I was impressed with how many important products are manufactured right here in our area, and I hope to find a manufacturing job soon.”
This collaborative workforce development initiative was made possible through the combined efforts and funding of SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Broome, SUNY Pre-Apprenticeship Program, the New York State Department of Labor RADAR Grant program, the Oneonta Working Solutions office and the workforce development board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties.
“The success and interest generated by this program has been overwhelming,” says Fields. “We look forward to offering it again in the spring of 2026.” Those interested can find information by contacting the SUNY Oneonta ExCL Center at (607) 436-2831 or ExCL@oneonta.edu
To support local business growth and workforce development, the SUNY Oneonta ExCL Center will host an Apprenticeship Roundtable on Oct. 9. The event will provide employers with information on registered apprenticeship programs, including opportunities to upskill their workforce and guidance on how to engage in apprenticeship initiatives in partnership with SUNY and the Department of Labor.