Need a Job?
            Get a job!
                                                by Dave Harney

It’s a tough economy out there!  Layoffs are common, unskilled jobs are no longer plentiful, and workers have had to leave the area.  Not a great job environment, to say the least.  But don't tell that to the health care education team at the BOCES 2, Center for Workforce Development (CWD) in Gates.  For the fields they train in, it’s nothing but full speed ahead.   The organization, which designs and offers a wide array of courses to meet current upstate workplace needs, has a heavy focus on health care.  They offer training in dental assisting, medical office assisting, medical billing, nurse assisting, phlebotomy, and many other health care specific careers.  And these fields are booming.  In fact, in upstate New York, there are significant shortages for trained health care workers. 

BOCES 2, CWD offers adult education & career training for adult workers.  Most students are being retrained after a layoff, but the organization has a diverse base that also includes younger workers who need to complete a GED (which they also offer) and adults who need to change their careers or are re-entering the workforce after a period of unemployment. The students find a highly personalized environment that features hands-on instruction that caters to adult learning styles. Class sizes are small and typically average between 10-12 students.  This allows the teachers, who are all professionals in their field, to both mentor and offer personalized instruction, further enhancing student success potential.

Approximately 91% of students successfully complete their chosen program. For those that “graduate,” BOCES 2 boasts an 87% placement rate for many of these specialized health care areas.  If, instead of seeking a job, the student decides to pursue advanced training, they are often advantaged because of their course work.  For example, many nursing programs have waiting lists.  Taking the BOCES 2, Certified Nurse Assistant training (approved by NY State Education Dept) often provides individuals with an opportunity to begin a career in the nursing field and to continue their education towards a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN.. Beyond that, many of the people they train succeed rapidly because of a quicker career ladder in health professions, and also because many students are quickly able to assume more responsibility due to previous workplace experience.

Even better news for BOCES 2 students is that there are funding resources available through local partner agencies.  Often, prospective students discuss these tuition assistance opportunities with the admissions team, before starting their training programs.   Since most BOCES 2 Career Training programs cost between $900 and $5000, having funding available can make all the difference to an applicant who may be struggling financially. 

The future for the BOCES 2, Center for Workforce Development looks bright.  Careers in the healthcare field are booming, and will likely never stop offering opportunities.  Technology is moving too fast to permit that.  So the team at BOCES 2 will continue to provide the community with an ongoing resource for supplying appropriate worker training to meet growing future demands.

Rochester Resource
BOCES 2, Center for Workforce Development
3545 Buffalo Rd.
Rochester, NY 14624
585-349-9100
www.cwadulteducation.org