SUNY Fulton-Montgomery will host a Career and Job Fair Expo on Thursday, Oct. 9.

A spotlight will be shone on several area manufacturing businesses next week.

From Oct. 6 to 10, FMS Workforce Solutions will collaborate with HFM BOCES (CTE & PTECH), SUNY Fulton Montgomery Community College, AIM (Advanced Institute for Manufacturing) and Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as local high school students in STEM and Pathways-related programs to host a series of manufacturing business tours at participating companies across the region.

These tours will give students first-hand exposure to real-world manufacturing environments and potential career paths.

“The idea for this event came out of a conversation between me and several of our regional workforce development partners during a recent tour of one of our local manufacturing businesses,” FMS Workforce Solutions Career Center Program Specialist John Goldswer said.

“The purpose of that tour was to help us, as community workforce development professionals, gain a better understanding of the company’s employment needs by learning about the various positions offered and the products and services provided — directly within their operating environment. Through those conversations, we realized that while National Manufacturing Week is recognized across New York State, our region — Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties — had yet to host a celebration truly highlighting our local manufacturers.”

The highlight of the week will be a Career and Job Fair Expo that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9, in the quad at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery.

Approximately 20 local manufacturers from Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie counties will be in attendance allowing students from area schools, HFM BOCES and SUNY Fulton Montgomery to explore career pathways in manufacturing.

Local job-seekers and community members can attend the event as it is open to the public.

This event will provide a unique opportunity to explore career opportunities, learn about local manufacturing innovations and engage with businesses shaping our regional economy. Attendees can explore opportunities in logistics, robotics, assembling/packaging, CNC operation/programming, data analysis, forklift operation, shipping/handling, mechanical engineers and quality control inspection among other careers.

The event also will include a visit by the advanced manufacturing mobile training lab, courtesy of SUNY Schenectady County Community College, as well as virtual reality training units will be on hand, provided by the New York State Department of Labor, focused on manufacturing-related skills.

“We want to raise community awareness about the many outstanding manufacturing businesses in our region,” Goldswer said. “We also want to promote the diverse career opportunities available in the local manufacturing sector and facilitate networking among business leaders and workforce development organizations.”

John Loz leads a guided bird walk at the FJ&G Rail Trail in Gloversville on Sept. 21.

The FJ&G Rail Trail in Gloversville was designated this summer as a New York State Birding Trail.

The FJ&G Rail Trail in Gloversville, pictured Saturday,........

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