UTICA – The Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Inc.’s (WDB/HMO) Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant program is hosting a free women-focused virtual job fair on Wednesday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant has assisted over 227 women throughout the duration of the program,” says Project Director Sommer Edwards. “As our two-year mark is approaching, now is the time to utilize the remainder of our training funds and services, as well as connect with participants who have fulfilled their training goals and are now seeking employment in a nontraditional occupation.”

Nontraditional occupations are defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as any industry in which females make up 25 percent or less of the workforce, including trades, information technology (IT), advanced manufacturing, transportation, public safety, agriculture, and more.

“Averaging about 40 businesses and 90 job seekers at our recent virtual job fairs, we are looking to increase these numbers as summer employment opportunities are increasing,” said Edwards. “WANTO staff are looking forward to connecting with new job seekers and grant participants in hopes of creating a more inclusive and equitable workforce.”

WANTO serves the following counties: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga, and Tompkins. Women 18 years old and older and employers throughout the entire 17-county region are invited to register.

The job fair utilizes the user-friendly Premier Virtual platform, which is feature-rich for both businesses and job seekers. Platform training is available before the event, and there are also training materials located within the system.

Employers register here: https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/d7mNQW

Job Seekers register here: https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/81a9O8

-Information provided by WANTO