One Syracuse-area company is among dozens statewide to receive a share of $9 million to train its employees. New York’s Work Force Development Initiative  continues to dish out grants during a challenging year. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul stopped by TTM technologies Monday to announce the next round of grants.  

“We’ve been making announcements every few months or so. Sometimes we’re investing in healthcare, other forms of technology. But areas where employers are telling us they need more workers to have the skills to be able to help them be successful.”

She says the goal is to focus assistance on companies that need to train workers right now.  County Executive Ryan McMahon says companies such as TTM are essential to keeping Central New York as a hub of defense and aerospace manufacturing. 

“TTM is a leader in that, we are a leader in that innovation and so what the grant that New York state offers is an investment in confidence in you. This is good for our workforce here, certainly we’re very excited about growth here with TTM.”

Hochul says a benefit of the Work Force Development Initiative is that it allows individuals to get job training without having to pay for further schooling. That means workers can receive their training and start working at a place like TTM. 

“There’s a lot of opportunity for people who don’t have a four-year degree. They can find a place like this that’ll cover their training, allow them to work here, and they can have a long career that’s very profitable for them.”

That could be High School graduates coming out of P-TECH programs or Community College students.  

Hochul says the program has been primarily focused on training for manufacturing jobs, but adds that could shift if a need arises for skilled workers in the service industry for example.