His guess is that it "will be a little of both," and he suggests that young people who want to work locally finish their education and consider getting some technical training.
"We have manufacturing components 
around the area - within and around - that pay excellent wages. But you have to have good technical skills, and good math, reading, writing and science. It doesn't have to be high-end college level. You can learn those skills as you go, as long as you're willing to continue to learn. That's what an employer wants."
The emerging workforce, he reiterates, is "vitally important here to our economy, as well as nationally."
Therefore the WIB is "engaging youth. Engaging the school systems. Letting them know what's available here locally, within the economy, as far as employment options."
On the subject of those options, both Mr. Price and Ms. Breen expressed similar views on the area's potential for new and expanding businesses. "It's quality of life that's an advantage for people, as well as business coming here," says Price. "We have a good quality workforce that is capable of being re-educated and retrained, that wants to work."
Ms. Breen adds, "It's a wonderful place. You have dedicated professionals here. You have a wonderful lifestyle. We talk about the eleven counties of 'tech valley'... We're [Schoharie is] included in that. We talk about the creative class and how do you attract the creative class? How do you attract young people? How do you attract people whose lifestyles are diverse, but have a lot to bring to the table?"
Her answer, "Quality of life." It's also the quality of services that the WIBs and One Stops can offer.
Mr. Price expounds, "We partner with Economic Development in all our efforts. We will help you identify grant funding. We will help a business coming in with identifying its workforce and we'll do on-site job recruitment efforts. We'll screen those recruits based upon the standards and needs of that company. And at the same time we will look to 'patch' training and skill upgrade that's available to those individuals."
When it comes to the Workforce Investment Act and its implementation in our area, Ms. Breen sums up, "I tell people that continuous improvement is a journey. It's not a destination. But with the way we are now working together with other organizations, sharing staff, and sharing supervisory responsibilities, we are doing pretty well."
Some might say, "Very well." And, whether you are looking for a job, seeking career advancement or contemplating a new or expanded business in the area, you would do 'very well' to make your first stop a One Stop.
For more information visit www.cdoworkforce.org or www.fmsworkforcesolutions.org
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