Northland Workforce Training Center
Rendering of the Northland Workforce Training Center. Watts Architecture & Engineering, P.C., 2017.
On July 15, 2015, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled plans for the $44 million Western New York Workforce Training Center, a new hub which will focus primarily on training for careers in the advanced manufacturing and energy sectors. To be branded as the "Northland Workforce Training Center," the facility is being funded with $29 million from the Buffalo Billion and $15 million from the New York Power Authority.
The approximately 100,000-square-foot facility will house administrative space, classrooms, and industrial shops/labs designed to train and turn out highly-skilled members of the local workforce to meet the requirements of the 21st century advanced manufacturing and electric utility industries. With technical support by the University at Buffalo's Regional Institute, ESD developed a business plan for the Center targeted to best provide workforce training opportunities to the traditionally most underrepresented groups in the city's workforce. The instructional staff/curricula components of the center will be provided by three SUNY institutions (Erie Community College, Alfred State College and Buffalo State College).
The Center will be created through the adaptive reuse of a portion of a historic industrial structure at 683 Northland Avenue-the former Clearing Niagara Plant-and will serve as the anchor tenant of the Northland Beltline on Buffalo’s East Side. Click here to learn more about the Northland Beltline Development.
ESD and NYPA are partnering with the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC), which is serving as the developer of the project, as well as the larger Northland Beltline.
In February 2016, the City of Buffalo Planning Board approved the Northland Beltline Redevelopment Project’s site plan for Phase I development, specifically including the Northland Workforce Training Center (NWTC), and made a finding under the State Environmental Quality Review Act that there will be no significant environmental impacts associated with the redevelopment of the entire 35-acre site. Achieving this milestone allows this initial phase of the project to advance to the process of final architectural and engineering design, construction documents and cost estimates for the proposed remediation and building rehabilitation necessary to accommodate the new NWTC.
In July 2016, Watts Architecture and Engineering was selected as architect and space programming/final design was initiated for the NWTC In September 2016, Gilbane Construction was selected as the construction manager.
In December 2016, after a competitive procurement process, ESD selected Economic Development Group (EDG), Inc., a nonprofit entity comprised of four lead partners—Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance (BNMA); Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Inc.; Goodwill Industries of Western New York, Inc.; and Buffalo Urban League—to be the operator and administrator of the Northland Workforce Training Center. EDG will undertake all administrative, financial control, internship/job placement, and coordination activities necessary for the operation of the center.
In August of 2017, ESD and EDG announced the appointment of Stephen Tucker as the President & CEO of the NWTC, and is has staffed its senior positions. EDG is in the process of branding and recruitment/assessment of students for its inaugural class, working closely with feeder institutions, such as Burgard High School and other Buffalo Career & Technical Education (CTE) high schools, as well as various adult programs for job training. More information about the NWTC can be found here.
Construction of the Northland Workforce Training Center is targeted for completion in July 2018. The center will welcome its first students in August 2018.
This new workforce training facility will be focused on the needs of manufacturers to fill employment skills gaps among area residents. Manufacturing is now the third largest industry sector in the region, employing more than 66,000 people and generating $6.3 billion in gross regional product (GRP). Industry estimates indicate over the next 10 years, due to retirements and growth, there will be over 20,000 job vacancies in Buffalo/Niagara’s manufacturing sector. However, the region’s workforce does not currently have the employment skills to meet these demands.
March 2018- Governor Cuomo announces Northland to get $4 million Restore NY Grant
January 2018 - ESD and Northland Workforce Training Center Announce First Applicant Information Session
September 2017- City of Buffalo Announces Start of 5.7 Million Northland Street Scape Project
August 2017 - ESD and the Empire Development Group Announce the Appointment of the President & CEO of the WNY Workforce Training Center
December 2016 - Empire State Development Announces Operator of Western New York Workforce Training Center
February 2016 - Governor Cuomo Announces Milestone in Major Redevelopment Project on Buffalo's East Side
July 2015 - Governor Cuomo Announces New Workforce Development Center on Buffalo's East Side
May 2013 - Governor Cuomo Announces Buffalo Billion Moving Forward on Ambitious Plan to Train 17,000 Employees