WORKFORCE BUFFALO

As Labor Day is celebrated nationally, let us remind ourselves that this country runs on the hard labor of the working class. According to the U.S Department of Labor: “Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the contributions of American workers to the country’s well-being, prosperity, and strength” To those who are committed and dedicated to jobs where we may or may not have the ability to do, let us celebrate their contributions. With all the talents and abilities people are endowed with, let us hope that they are being utilized towards a positive good. Whether it’s economic development, charitable contributions towards the community, or simply freedom to utilize their income as people see fit, we must understand how employment can lead to sustainable wages during their pursuit of happiness.

Even though that phrase may mean different things to different people, or the phrase “money doesn’t buy happiness” which is either subjective or objective depending on perspective, we may question whether one must earn a living while earning a paycheck to thrive in this country. We may be tempted to question the taxes we pay as Americans but that’s another column for another month. This column aims to shed light on programs and opportunities developed for those who are unemployed or underemployed.

Underemployed according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is defined as “the condition in which people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to their training or economic needs.” From that definition we can assume people are seeking opportunities which lead to adequate jobs and sustainable wages. As a Business Services Specialist with Workforce Buffalo, we are a network of employment and training providers, educational institutions, and community agencies to help every person reach their career goals.

We understand that every job seeker has different needs, and we are happy to provide a range of services to assist you. Job seeker services we provide are career assessment and exploration, skills training in demand occupations and access and referral to NYS job openings. We work closely with the Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC) where our colleagues assist with job readiness training, resume preparation and cover letter writing assistance. We also offer in-house services to assist the business community including employee recruitment and screening, use of center facilities for group interviews, and On-the-Job Training opportunities. For more information, please reach out and contact me.

Workforce Buffalo: (716) 819-9845;

sjoseph@wdcinc.org

Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC): (716) 856-5627

Sources: 

https://www.workforcebuffalo.org/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underemployment

https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history