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Job Seekers Resources

The Buffalo Niagara area is home to many careers opportunities and there are many resources to help improve your skills and development.  There are resources available to anyone who is in search of improving their resume, perfecting their talents or increasing their knowledge.

Click here for a list of Western New York’s largest private sector employers in 2009.

Check out this article from Yahoo! about how our workforce has changed during these economic times.  Learn what employers are looking for and how to set yourself apart from the pack.

The statewide network of Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCS) are committed to workforce development and provide extensive work readiness and job placement services. The EOC also provides the national Work Readiness Credential Program that certifies individuals who have the skills needed for successful performance as entry-level workers. The Career Planning and Placement Office offers career development, case management, employment and job retention assistance. The Office of Outreach and Workforce Development (OOWD) provides leadership to the WNY region by offering academic and vocational training to employees in various industries. Successful completion of their training program can lead to job placement and promotions, licensures, certifications and advanced degrees.

The Buffalo Employment & Training Center brings together a variety of workforce development organizations and partner agencies to assist area job seekers in preparing for and obtaining employment.  They offer job search and career planning workshops, education and training support, computer literacy classes, experienced career counselors and job coaches, among many more job seeker services, all in a state of the art One-Stop Career Center.  The services of the Buffalo Employment and Training Center are available, free of charge, to any and all job seekers.

For more than 30 years Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development has been one of the largest leading providers of adult training in Western New York. They offer a wide array of part-time and full-time training programs under the direction of the New York State Education Department. Their highly qualified instructors and state-of-the-art training facilities provide comprehensive training at competitive tuition costs in one year or less. 

The BPS Adult and Continuing Education Division promotes successful adult, family,and community outcomes through high quality programs and services to the greater Buffalo community. They offer free literacy and GED classes, English as a Second Language, classes in math, reading, writing, and computers, vocational education and much more.

Workforce Development at Erie Community College provides customized non-credit professional development training to local businesses, individual community residents, and local government employees.  Investment in life long learning provides our local workforce with the necessary skill sets to foster economic development.  ECC's four divisions:  Community Education, Corporate Training, Driving Programs, and the ECC One Stop, have created an entrepreneurial workforce team assisting local businesses in remaining globally competitive. Take a look at the One Stop’s Business Services Brochure for more information.

A new WEATHERIZATION TECHNICIAN TRAINING program is starting in late April at ECC’s City Campus for FREE.  Learn about carpentry skills; a review of household systems; tool use and safety; lead certification; basic electrical skills; measurement/math skills; insulation techniques; roofing and siding; OSHA review; and the replacement of windows and doors. As homeowners look to save on energy costs, the demand for trained Weatherization Technicians has grown and these skills have become highly sought after.  Check out more information about this program here.

The New York State Department of Labor has an abundance of resources to help jobseekers. Whether you have lost your job or are looking for your next promotion, they can help you with your job search. You can visit a One-Stop Career Center and speak with staff about their Career Services, including resume writing, interview techniques, apprenticeship opportunities, training grants, search their on-line job listing or attend a job fair. Not sure about your next career move?  Check out Career Zone where you can research occupations and Job Zone, where you can post customized resumes in our Job Portfolio and get training to improve your skills and plan your career.  They also provide priority service to Veterans during their job search.

Check out this section of the Department of Labor site to search employers by occupation and region to find who has recently hired employees.  


The Buffalo and Erie County One-Stop Career Centers offer a wide range of employment and training services designed to assist job seekers during their job search. At each Career Center their is the opportunity to access a wide array of job training, education and employment services. Access a multitude of agencies and services all under one roof at no cost. Some services include resume preparation, job search planning and preparation, career training and financial aid.


The University at Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) is a program to promote business growth through leadership development and experiential learning. It serves as a central resource for developing businesses based in Western New York. It is a dynamic entity that invites the participation of those who seek to develop their enterprises and companies in new and innovative ways through a 10 month core program.


Green Careers New York is a way for visitors find information on a variety of “green” topics. Included is information about green jobs and careers, how to get green training, and incentives for going green. Each section of Green Careers New York is designed to meet the needs of a particular type of person. Choose the one that best describes you, and start learning about green!

Need to sharpen up on your computer skills?  The Olmsted Institute of Business & Technology, or OIBT, is a New York state certified business school specializing in computer training. OIBT has classes on all Microsoft Office products including the 2007 edition! They can assist in all levels of computer training from beginner, intermediate to advanced classes.  All classes are taught by a Microsoft Certified Master Instructor and can be tailored to your needs. 

ExecuNet.com is a private network for senior–level executives that can connect you to the people, insights and opportunities you've been looking for to achieve the success you deserve. Through the ExecuNet network, you can connect with thousands of trusted business leaders, executive career advisors and recruiters; gain expert career and business insights; access proprietary research and intelligence on the executive employment market; and tap into hidden $150K+ executive jobs. Becoming a member can open doors to influential people, showcase new opportunities and provide expert insights to help guide you into a new career.