34 Graduate From Three Syracuse Surge Workforce Programs

CenterState CEO and its partners at Onondaga Community College, OCM BOCES and SUNY Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) celebrated the 34 individuals who completed the most recent Syracuse Surge Workforce programming at a graduation ceremony held at OCC on Dec. 15, 2023. Candidates graduated from one of three programs: Surge Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) hosted by SUNY EOC, Electrical Mechanical Technician (ELM) hosted by OCC and OCM BOCES, or Surge Defense hosted by SUNY EOC.  

SAM and ELM are both multi-week, paid programs providing entry and mid-skill training for advanced manufacturing. Surge Defense is a paid, 13-week program that prepares people for careers in clean, high-tech assembly jobs in government contracting facilities. All programs offer wrap around services, like childcare and transportation assistance.  

Through a holistic approach, these advanced manufacturing industry partnerships bring together community organizations such as the Syracuse Community Center Collaborative, training providers and employers to create workforce development initiatives designed to ensure people gain the skills employers want and move into jobs quickly, while candidates receive the needed support to be successful. 

“By having these three programs run concurrently, there is an accessible entry point for anyone who wants to grow their skills and explore a career in Central New York’s advanced manufacturing industry,” said Aimee Durfee, Vice President of Workforce Innovation at CenterState CEO. “The success of these programs is a guide for future workforce development initiatives that will be essential in ensuring employers have the talent they need, and that all community members can be a part of the region’s exciting growth.” 

Candidates started the morning interviewing with regional employers, including Anoplate, TTM Technologies, Critical Path Integrators, Bluefors, United Radio, Belden/PPC and LOTTE Biologics. Many of the candidates from the Surge Defense program received conditional offers from the program’s employer-collaborator Lockheed Martin.  

During the graduation ceremony, remarks were delivered by Onondaga Community College President Dr. Warren Hilton, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, SUNY EOC Vice President Tim Pennix, CenterState CEO Senior Manager of Industry Partnerships for Work Train Meghan Durso, Director of Adult Education at OCM BOCES Mari Ukleya, CenterState CEO Syracuse Surge Career Navigator Cainaan Webb, and program graduate Miquel Velez. 

“Syracuse Surge’s commitment to excellence and opportunity has been a guiding light for many of us, proving that education is not a privilege reserved for a select few but a right that should be accessible to all,” said Velez. “The journey doesn’t end here. Armed with the knowledge and skills acquired through Syracuse Surge, we are now prepared to face challenges of the professional world. But let us not forget the importance of giving back to our community. Let us be ambassadors for education and advocates for those who still need a helping hand. Let our journey inspire hope and may our success be a testament to the transformational power of education.” 

These workforce programs are part of Syracuse Surge, the city’s strategy for inclusive growth in the new economy, which strives to ignite economic growth and neighborhood transformation in Syracuse and Central New York. The city of Syracuse and CenterState CEO, with support from SUNY EOC, OCM BOCES, and Onondaga Community College, have aligned with local employers to launch these Syracuse Surge job training programs to prepare a local workforce with tech skills for today's economy.