Training Services

Tompkins Build - Pathways to Apprenticeship

Love working outdoors? Enjoy using your hands and being part of a team? Construction could be the perfect fit for you!

Ithaca Area Economic Development’s paid pre-apprenticeship program gives you the chance to try out different trades, learn directly from union experts, and kick-start a career with serious earning potential.

No experience? No problem! This program is designed to help you find your fit and build a future you’re passionate about.

The Pathways to Apprenticeship program equips you with the resources, training, and confidence to launch successful careers in the construction industry. This 11-week PAID training program offers a comprehensive blend of hands-on experience, classroom learning, and direct engagement with local unions. The 220-hour program runs Monday through Thursday, from 3pm to 8pm. 

Minimum Requirements:

• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Desire a career in construction
• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Physically capable of construction work
• Ability to read, write, and speak English

During the program, you will:

• Earn industry credentials (MC3 certification, OSHA 10, CPR / First Aid certification)
• Gain hands on training
• Visit local union training centers
• Enhance your math skills
• Receive entrance exam and interview preparation
• Build a solid foundation for a career in construction
• Receive a student tool kit

Program Details:

• Duration: 11 weeks
• Paid Training: $15.50/hr
• Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Location: UA Local 81 Training Center, 701 W State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Classroom Setting: In-person

Please note: While these programs equip you with the skills needed for the industry, they do not guarantee placement in an apprenticeship program.

Do you have questions? Email Danielle Szabo

Learn More

Direct to Work - Pathways to Manufacturing

Direct 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

Direct to Work – Pathways to Manufacturing

Interested participants send an email directtowork@ithacaareaed.org

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.

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

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

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

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

Find training providers approved by New York State on the NYS Eligible Training Providers List:

Course Offering Search

The New York State Eligible Training Provider List (NYS ETPL) was established in compliance with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and continues under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The purpose of the ETPL is to present a broad and diverse selection of training choices to support employment goals of individuals.

Inclusion on the NYS ETPL, in itself, does not guarantee that WIOA funds are available for enrollment in an eligible offering. The availability of WIOA funding for enrollment is based on many factors including assessment of an individual's employment needs. Individuals who are interested in determining if they qualify for WIOA training funding must contact a New York State Career Center.