Celebrating the electrical trades students’ graduation earlier this month were, standing from the left, Sullivan BOCES District Supt. Robert Dufour, District 5 Legislator Cat Scott, District 2 Legislator Nadia Rajsz, SUNY Sullivan Director of Workforce Development Jaime Schmeiser, Deputy County Manager Michelle Huck, District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips, District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo, Sullivan BOCES Executive Principal for Career & Technical Education Jeff Molusky, Center for Workforce Development Director Loreen Gebelein, graduates Justin Winters, Parris Owens, Shayne Durbin, Leticia Malave, Bradley Jennex, Justin Marte, Jake Nystrom, instructor Gunther Jensen, Center for Workforce Development Employment & Training Supervisor Renee Vandermark, CWD Board Chair Jacob Lerner, and CWD Employment & Training Specialist Samantha Nietzel. Kneeling from the left are District 4 Legislator Nick Salomone, Planning Commissioner Heather Brown, District 1 Legislator Matt McPhillips, and graduates Luis Diaz, Cruz Marin-Herrerea, Aiden Reindl, Angel Rodriguez, and Zachary Jaycox. Unable to attend the event were graduates Rudy Roth and David Barnes.
Liberty, NY – Fourteen local residents successfully graduated this month from a Sullivan County-funded electrical certification course, the fifth in an ongoing series of skilled trades classes the Center for Workforce Development (CWD) is offering in conjunction with Sullivan BOCES and SUNY Sullivan.
“Congratulations to these hardworking adults, who made time in their lives to learn new skills, improve their job prospects and aim for higher wages and responsibilities,” said CWD Director Loreen Gebelein. “Thanks to the Legislature’s financial commitment, the CWD continues to enhance our local workforce with practical, career-building skills.”
The 10-week program was administered by the CWD, part of the County’s Division of Community Resources. Open to those 18 and older who applied and passed a rigorous selection process, classes were held twice a week at SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake. Tuition for the course was entirely paid for by the County, with the expectation that graduates quickly secure local employment in that field (aided by the CWD).
“I was very impressed by the students and their capability for precise, quality work in such a short time period,” affirmed Deputy County Manager Michelle Huck. “But I was most impressed with the fact that we invested in a group of people already intent on bettering their lives, their families and the County in general.”
“This was hands-on training by a skilled instructor, and graduates of this program are now ready to work – or are already employed – with a number of local employers who value their newfound skills,” said Community Resources Commissioner Laura Quigley. “Since 2023, we’ve offered free courses in the construction, security guard, welding, and automotive trades, and I look forward to helping locals become certified nursing assistants this fall.”
CWD is now taking applicants for a Certified Nursing Assistant course that will begin in September, open to up to 15 adults residing in Sullivan County. To find out more or to apply, contact the Center for Workforce Development at 845-794-3340 or sccwd@sullivanny.gov.
