work ready

Sustained success for any team comes from a culture of buy-in and commitment from executives, personnel, staff, and players. When values, visions, and goals align internally, performance on the field improves to create a winning culture.

We witnessed this buy-in from the Buffalo Bills when general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott stepped in and completely shifted the Bills from an organization comfortable with losing into a franchise that continues to produce winning records, all-pros, and productive draft classes.

My goal is to rally our families, schools, businesses, and workforce communities in order for us to create a better future for our youth.

Our workforce advocates have created a culture that is leading our local students to careers that will set them up for lifetime success. We are adding another piece of the puzzle to create the community buy-in we aim for.

With the official announcement of ACT Work Ready Communities coming to Genesee County, we are deploying another resource to connect our students to local in-demand careers. 

ACT Work Ready Communities provides the tools to connect our graduates to the in-demand career opportunities available in their backyards, aligning the region’s economic development needs with the skills required to create an economic blueprint that benefits our local businesses and our communities.

I’m excited that many of our schools are engaging to have select groups of students complete the ACT WorkKey Assessments in 2025. These students will graduate into a winning culture our businesses are already growing.

To be designated a Work Ready Community requires participation from our local workforce and businesses. Once registered, there will be access to search and vet job requirements and skills sought by local businesses, allowing them to efficiently recruit from a pool of qualified candidates.

We only need three more companies to sign up to reach our goal of 92 supporting businesses and 11 more will get Genesee County to 100 certified businesses!

The list of certified businesses ranges from companies in manufacturing, food processing, healthcare, education, professional services, hospitality, and more.

Like Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, our winning culture doesn’t stop with one goal achieved. In order for us to receive certified work ready status we will need the participation of our local workforce candidates; there are no limitations on who can sign up for the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) administered by ACT.

Students, incumbent workers, and job seekers can complete the NCRC which features criteria in applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents.

Once completed, prospective job candidates will be recommended and matched with companies that align with their skills based on NCRC results.

Companies looking to relocate or expand value this accreditation and provide them with workforce information and data, bringing more jobs to Genesee County.

I am pleased by the progress we’ve had in working with school representatives, workforce institutions, and other stakeholders to recruit workforce candidates and local companies to be a part of the workforce development ecosystem that will allow our community to continue its sustained success.

To learn more or sign up for a National Career Readiness Certificate contact me at 585-343-4866 or csuozzi@gcedc.com.

Chris Suozzi is the Executive Vice President, Business & Workforce Development of the Genesee County Economic Development Center

As a coach, there’s nothing more inspiring than seeing a player emerge and outperform their expectations.

Training camps are underway, and teams like the Bills are seeing it in action. The next Matt Milano, Stevie Johnson, or Christian Benford is out there. The next unexpected leader just needs to prove they’re ready.

That’s the reality of sports and work. You need to show you’re ready before you get these opportunities. And I’m pleased that Genesee County, and our emerging workforce, can do the same as we prepare to launch a local Work Ready Communities initiative. 

How?

By proving what we know is true about Genesee County. 

That our students are engaged in work-ready technical training and have skills worth rewarding. 

Our manufacturers, businesses, and employers understand talent and how to grow a new hire into a leader.

My major goal is to show that our families, schools, and communities are united in a better future for our kids. Having a venue to hold it - for both our youth and companies looking for the ideal place to locate - is now at hand.

ACT Work Ready Communities provides the tools that will connect our graduates to the in-demand career opportunities available in their backyards, aligning the region’s economic development needs with the skills required to create an economic blueprint that benefits our local businesses and in turn our communities.

In order for our community to be designated a Work Ready Community, we will need participation from our local workforce and businesses. Once registered, you will have access to search and vet job requirements and skills sought by local businesses, allowing them to efficiently recruit from a pool of qualified candidates.

Think of this process as the free agent pool or transfer portal – students trying to find their next best opportunity, including higher pay as well as detailing the skill levels that have been attained.

To initiate the process, students, incumbent workers, and job seekers will have the option to complete assessments for criteria in applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace communications. The scores earned range from bronze to platinum and can be highlighted on transcripts, resumes, and other applications.

We want good-paying careers for everyone in our community and this certification program enables us to introduce students and residents to see how it can help them take charge of their career decisions.

As we grow our community there will be more opportunities to not only attract new businesses but hopefully to help existing businesses expand. Site selectors for major projects recognize this certification and provide them with the information and data, bringing more jobs to Genesee County.

I am working with school representatives, workforce institutions, and other stakeholders to boost our talent pool, linking our students to high-quality job opportunities that enable them to thrive in our local community.

To learn more or sign up for a National Career Readiness Certificate contact me at 585-343-4866 or csuozzi@gcedc.com.