Job Seeker Services

Contact us today to discuss your job, career, and training needs. We are co-located with the NYS Department of Labor in order to best provide Tompkins County residents with employment and training resources. Career Center services for job seekers include:

  • Workshops: Register for virtual workshops on topics such as cover letter development, transferable skills, and time management.

  • Guidance: Contact or visit us to learn about services such as resume review, interview practice, unemployment support, and career counseling.

  • Training: Explore advancement opportunities such as training, apprenticeships, recertification, and micro-credentials.

  • Job Referrals: Discover job opportunities through personalized referrals and NYS Job Bank matching.

Youth Employment for Ages 14 to 24

Explore Workforce Development's youth services, which include career exploration, supportive services, paid work experiences, and post-high school and transition planning.

Youth Employment (Ages 14-24)

Find a Job

Explore local jobs on Workforce Development's job board.

Find a Job in Tompkins County

Department of Labor - Career Resources

Department of Labor is co-located with Workforce Development in the Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center. Explore the DOL job banks and visit our location in Center Ithaca for job search help. 

Find Training

Want more experience? Explore these options for local training programs.

Certified Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Announcements | Department of Labor

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.

CNA and CMA Pre-Apprenticeship Programs at TC3

FREE! Clinical Medical Assistant Fundamentals

Gain the important skills required to offer clinical hands-on support in today’s busy medical office setting. Topics include vital signs, EKGs, aseptic techniques, infection control, rooming patients, confidentiality, communication, professionalism, medical documentation, law and ethics of health care, point of care (POC) patient testing, introduction to medical office management, and insurance and billing basics.

This class is a pre-apprenticeship program. Pre-apprenticeship provides students with necessary basic skills to thrive in and complete further education in the field. Through a new SUNY initiative these programs are free to attend, and upon successfully completing a program, students are eligible for a $500 stipend from SUNY.

This class is also offered for academic credit. If you wish to earn academic credit towards a degree, certificate, or microcredential, please contact Julie Partigianoni at jlp037@tompkinscortland.edu. The expectations for attendance, participation, and effort are the same for all students.

Upcoming class dates and times TBA. 

FREE! Explore a Career as a Certified Nursing Assistant

Explore the role of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in healthcare and prepare to take the CNA course offered at Tompkins Cortland Community College in June 2025. In this program, you will learn about the clinical skills performed within the scope of CNA practice to gain a better understanding of whether this career is a strong fit for you. As part of this course, we will also cover “soft skills” that are vital to the job, including professionalism, interdisciplinary collaboration, effective communication with coworkers and patients, as well as interpersonal skills. Basic hands-on technical skills will be taught in the TC3 Nursing Program Skills Laboratory, with a strong focus on safety and patient care.

This class is a pre-apprenticeship program. Pre-apprenticeship provides students with necessary basic skills to thrive in and complete further education in the field. Through a new SUNY initiative these programs are free to attend, and upon successfully completing a program, students are eligible for a $500 stipend from SUNY.

Tuesday, December 17 – Thursday, Dec 19; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. In Person at the TC3 Dryden Campus

Register

College Initiative Upstate

From the CIU website: "College Initiative Upstate (CIU) is a learning community of students, educators, and volunteers who are working together to build pathways to and through college for people who are court-involved or formerly incarcerated, people in a stable place in their recovery, or low-income (including housing choice voucher recipients). CIU’s model provides the resources for college preparation, college enrollment, and community leadership – all free of charge. The only requirements are a high school diploma or equivalency, residency in Tompkins County, and a strong desire to continue their educational goals. By effectively addressing the individual and structural barriers to higher education, including the gap in preparation for college, CIU offers a life-changing path for non-traditional students experiencing issues related to legal involvement, poverty, and recovery."

College Initiative Upstate

Direct to Work - Pathways to Manufacturing

Direct to Work - Pathways to Manufacturing

Direct to Work (DTW) logoDirect to Work (DTW) is a full-time (Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 3:30 pm), five-week career readiness manufacturing program. The training includes learning technical skills through an online site called ToolingU-SME and applying those skills using both physical tools and virtual reality technology called Transfr VR. Participants in the program gain industry exposure by taking trips to local manufacturers, team building skills, and direct job placement.

Register for an info session!

Direct to Work Info Session Sign-up

For questions about the info session, email Mary Holland-Bavis.

Direct to Work – Pathways to Manufacturing

Interested participants send an email directtowork@ithacaareaed.org

Hospitality Employment Training Program

The City of Ithaca runs the Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP), hosted at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC).

From the City of Ithaca website: "At H.E.T.P., we train all our participants to be work ready in the hospitality industry and office administrative work. They receive over 60 hours of instruction in skills and certifications in the hospitality industry and office administrative work. Participants get up to 120 hours of on-the-job training and coaching.

"Participants learn and receive training and certifications in various areas like Resume Workshops, Mock Interview Coaching, Food/Beverage Certification (case by case), Customer Service Training, Computer Proficiency Classes, Business Tours, Etiquette Courses, Conflict Management, Empathy/Emotional Intelligence, Transferable Skills to Other Careers."

Hospitality Employment Training Program

More Opportunities

Find more opportunities for training and employment services through our partnering agencies. We partner with other organizations to provide you with a variety of quality training options.

Partner Agencies

Attend Events and Workshops

Attend in-person and online events to meet employers, development career skills, and ask experts your questions.

Calendar

Workers' Rights

Learn about workers' rights