This past December, Arc Herkimer received a grant in the amount of $81,848 from The M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund for a new Distribution Center Candidate Training Program (DCCTP) within the agency’s Herkimer Industries division.
“We cannot thank M&T Bank/Partners Trust enough for making this idea come to fruition to build relationships between Herkimer Industries, local distribution centers, and members of our community,” says Mike Lamb Vice President – Industrial Operations, Arc Herkimer. “We are happy that our goals aligned of helping individuals with disabilities and veterans build an industrial skillset that can prepare them for sustainable careers.”
The M&T Bank/Partner’s Trust Bank Charitable Fund considers projects that have potential for making a long-lasting impact. Funds were granted to pay salaries for nine candidates to attend DCCTP for the first 12 months. The program will run in three rotations for the first year, with three candidates each spending 16 weeks in training positions. Candidates will rotate between Herkimer Industries sites with locations in Herkimer, Little Falls, and Ilion.
Each site will offer on-the-job training in picking, packing, shipping, fork truck certification, scaling, wrapping, and warehouse operations. Candidates will work alongside other Herkimer Industries professionals for peer-to-peer mentoring. At the end of their rotation, they will be linked to Arc Herkimer’s Career Connections for support and assistance with long-term employment.
