Congratulations to these hardworking adults, who made time in their lives to learn new skills, improve their job prospects and aim for higher wages and responsibilities.”

Director Loreen Gebelein, Center for Workforce Development

LIBERTY, NY —   Nine local residents graduated on December 21 from a Sullivan County- funded welding certification course.

The graduates are Peter Smith, Steven Koskey, Daniel Johnston, Kevin Alvarado, George Santiago, Ethan Williams, Ashley Male, Dominick Furlipa, and  Isaiah McNeil.

“Congratulations to these hardworking adults, who made time in their lives to learn new skills, improve their job prospects and aim for higher wages and responsibilities,” said Loreen Gebelein, director of the Center for Workforce Development (CWD), which offered the course in conjunction with Sullivan BOCES. She thanked the legislature for it financial commitment.

The welding course was the second in a series of skilled trades classes offered by the CWD and BOCES. It was open to those 18 and older who applied and passed a rigorous selection process. Classes were held twice a week at BOCES’ Rubin Pollack Education Center in Liberty, with tuition entirely paid for by the county. 

The equipment on which the welding students honed their skills.

“I was very impressed by the students, their instructor Nick Conklin, and their capability for precise, quality work in such a short time period,” said Assistant County Manager Michelle Huck. “But I was most impressed with the fact that we invested in a group of people already intent on bettering their lives, families and the county in general.” 

The Community Resources Commissioner, Laura Quigley, said the students got hands-on training and are now ready to work – with some already employed – with a number of local employers who value their newfound skills. “I look forward to continuing this transformative initiative in 2024,” she said of the skilled training courses.

Robert M. Dufour, district superintendent and CEO at Sullivan BOCES, said the school is looking forward to providing more educational opportunities for adult learners to “help build and maintain our county’s workforce.” 

To find out more or to apply, contact the call the CWD at 845-794-3340 or sccwd@sullivanny.us.