Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Executive, joins the program to share his background and the important role that government plays in people’s lives. Discover some of the challenges around connecting talent to available jobs, and some of the questions that still need to be answered heading into a post-pandemic world. Discover some lessons learned during the pandemic and a different perspective on developing a career.
Jun 11, 2021
39 min
Tune in as Geoff Syzmanski, Executive Director, and David Kaczor, Assistant Executive Director for the Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Investment Board, join host Spencer Murray to provide some history and insight into the many services offered by Workforce Buffalo. Discover the efforts that are underway to address workforce challenges in the region, and the innovation that is happening as the pandemic begins to lift.
May 28, 2021
49 min
Nathan McConnell, Director of Workforce Development & Education at The Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY, joins the program to debunk some of the negative stereotypes about working in the construction trades and the importance of creating a local talent pipeline. Nathan also provides details about the various ways that his organization supports the construction industry and reveals details about an app that functions as a job board for the local Buffalo/Western New York construction industry.
May 7, 2021
22 min
Artist, educator and journeyman carpenter Jomo Akono, joins the program to discuss what led him to start a career in the carpentry trade, and provides details about the carpenter’s apprenticeship program. Discover the financial and work-life benefits of becoming a carpenter and why carpentry is an excellent career choice for women as well as men. You’ll learn about the career trajectory for carpenters and how to reach out for more information.
Apr 23, 2021
24 min
Demone Smith, Executive Director of the Buffalo Employment Training Center, joins the program to discuss the services that the Center provides. Discover how to support young people who may not be a good fit for traditional education, and how to connect individuals in in-demand jobs. You’ll hear examples of well-paying careers that don’t require a 4-year degree, and how to use technology to communicate and work with job seekers.
Apr 9, 2021
32 min
Join host Spencer Murray as he sits down for a conversation with Jessica Corrigan, Business Services Manager for Workforce Buffalo. Jessica reveals the variety of ways in which the Business Services Division can support area businesses and how they have adapted and innovated to meet employers’ needs.
Mar 26, 2021
22 min
In this episode host Spencer Murray is joined by Denise Raymond-DiBlasi, Dean of Employment & Training Services at the SUNY Erie Career Centers. Discover the services available at the SUNY Erie Career Centers and how to access services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Denise also offers advice and resources for job seekers who may be facing challenges or feel stuck in their job search.
Mar 12, 2021
30 min
In this episode, host Spencer Murray is joined by Sam Marrazzo, Chief Information Officer at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Sam discusses how he helps to to foster innovation and growth, and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on his work. Discover the growing importance of technology for all businesses and what job seekers need to break into the IT field in Buffalo.
Feb 28, 2021
42 min
E02: The Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG)- Training for High-Demand Healthcare Occupations
In this episode, host Spencer Murray is joined by Mark Cosgrove, Senior Planner and Project Director for the HPOG program, and Liz Rivera, Marketing and Recruitment Specialist for the HPOG program. Discover the eligibility requirements for the grant, hear success stories, and discover the range of support that is available for participants.
Feb 15, 2021
41 min
In this introductory episode, you'll hear from host and Buffalo and Erie County WIB member Spencer Murray as he discusses the "who, what, where, when, and why" of the podcast. Spencer shares a bit about his background and how he to connect with the workforce system, and reveals some of the guests you can expect to hear from in upcoming episodes!
Jan 29, 2021
29 min