CFA Award Sparks Visit from Lt. Governor
The New York State Governor’s office visited Erie 1 BOCES, which was recently allocated a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) award. Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development division received $198,000 in CFA funding to support training for aspiring certified nursing assistants, home health aides, CNC machining and electromechanical maintenance workers, and welders.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed Erie 1 BOCES staff, local media and public figures regarding the 66 awards across the state deemed necessary to provide thousands of workers with the training and skills they need to “Build Back Better.”
In 2013, Erie 1 BOCES opened the Workforce Development Center in Cheektowaga out of a growing need for Western New York employers to fill positions, particularly in the high-demand areas of industrial manufacturing and healthcare.
“Since opening, thousands of Western New Yorkers have been trained in the areas of nursing, healthcare, welding and manufacturing,” Erie 1 BOCES Board President John Sherman said. “With this award, we are able to continue this training and support our community, our students and their families, and our partner employers who stand ready to hire them.”
Cheektowaga Town Supervisor Diane Benczkowski, Assembly Member Monica Wallace and Sen. Tim Kennedy were also on hand and shared their support and appreciation for the award, which will help local residents be trained in the skilled trades.
Erie 1 BOCES’ adult workforce training programs can be completed in one year or less. Training program details are available at e1b.org/wfd.