Ithaca Area Economic Development outlines industry-led job pathways in manufacturing and construction

Danielle Zabo, director of workforce innovation for Ithaca Area Economic Development, presented the agency’s industry partnership model and two active programs—Direct to Work (manufacturing) and Tompkins Build (pre‑apprenticeship construction)—to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency Economic Development Committee during its May meeting.

Zabo said the model is “industry led and community supported” and described six components used to design the programs: industry engagement, stakeholder convening, a candidate profile, targeted recruitment, assessment and preparation, placement and supportive services. “We start backwards,” Zabo said, explaining that partners identify actual job openings and then build training and referral pathways to meet those specific employer needs.

The Direct to Work program serves nine local manufacturers that Zabo listed as C and D Assembly; Encodima 3D; Knickerbocker; Transonic Systems; BorgWarner; Therm; Stork H and E Blading; Lansing Instrument; and Precision Filters. It is a five‑week, full‑time training that was recognized as a SUNY pre‑apprenticeship program, enabling a stipend increase to $1,000 and 15 continuing education credit units for graduates. Zabo said graduates receive a nationally recognized credential (Certified Manufacturing Associate), hands‑on metrology training and a 15‑hour soldering lab created for the region’s electronic manufacturers.

Tompkins Build is a pre‑apprenticeship readiness program developed with the Tompkins Cortland Building Trades Council and several unions. Zabo said it is an 11‑week, hourly‑paid program that includes the Multi‑Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), OSHA‑10 and CPR/First Aid certification, a student toolkit and on‑site trade experiences across participating unions. She said instructors and training halls are union‑run and that the trades contribute hands‑on modules and mentoring.

Zabo told the committee that since 2022 the manufacturing pathway has run six cohorts and served 74 individuals and that the region’s construction pilot received 70 applications for two cohort slots; 15 applicants were selected for the initial construction cohort because payroll costs for the hourly program are substantial. She said Tompkins Build was launched ahead of schedule because of local demand from the building trades and regional construction activity.

On funding, Zabo said Ithaca Area Economic Development was awarded a $1.2 million U.S. Department of Labor grant (Oct. 2023–Sept. 2026) to expand the work and that the agency is pursuing a state Office of Strategic Workforce Development grant through Empire State Development for flexible capital to address transportation barriers. She described use of the federal grant to cover staffing and contracts and noted alignment with the local workforce development board to access WIOA funds and to list the program on eligible training provider rosters.

Eligibility and supports: Zabo said baseline eligibility is age 18 and older and that a high school diploma/GED is preferred but not always required; programs emphasize barrier mitigation, case management, legal services (via a three‑year retainer with a local legal services provider), and supports such as driver’s‑license restoration, fines, car repairs and matched tools. She said the Direct to Work tuition was $781 per person and that the construction pilot’s 11‑week payroll cost was about $88,000, which constrains cohort size.

Committee members asked about recruiting, diversity, retention and cost per placement. Zabo said construction outreach produced many applicants from outside Tompkins County and that manufacturing referrals tended to come from community partners; she described ongoing evaluation of diversity outcomes and employer retention strategies. She emphasized that the industry partnership model requires “champion” employers who pay living wages and offer internal career pathways.

Zabo outlined next steps including expanding local CNC training capacity, sustaining programs through a mix of federal, state and local funds and building a transportation initiative called Southern Tier Connect to provide flexible capital for vehicle solutions and other long‑term transportation supports.

The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; members expressed interest in coordinating referrals and exploring ways the committee and IURA could help scale supportive partners and funding.