News » Local

Raymond to Add Jobs

By WBNG News
August 18, 2010 Updated Aug 18, 2010 at 6:13 PM EDT

A year and a half ago, a company in Chenango County was on the verge of laying off 100 workers.

Now, it's looking to rapidly expand.

Is this a sign that the economy's recovering?

And how can other businesses follow suit?

Here's Action News Reporter Leigh Dana.

Over the last few years, we've heard the devastating stories about people losing their jobs, waiting on long unemployment lines, and not being able to provide for their families.

For many in the Greater Binghamton area, there's a sign that times are changing.

The Raymond Corporation, which designs and manufactures fork lifts in Greene, is putting out the help wanted notice again.

"Over the next two months the company plans to hire more than 100 new workers," said New York State's Labor Commissioner, Colleen Gardner.

A year and half ago, Raymond took part in the state's Shared Work program, which allows employers to avoid laying off workers by reducing their hours.

The state pays their wage difference and it saved dozens of Raymond jobs.

"That was February of 2009. And the Department of Labor was there to help. And now, in the summer of 2010, the department of labor is here again to help," explained Gardner.

Rather than talking about layoffs, its taking about jobs.

Since January, Raymond's been actively hiring by taking advantage of On-The-Job Training, or OJT, through the Broome Tioga workforce New York as well as the Chenango-Delaware-Otsego Investment Board; where human resources found Brett Mowers, 23, a welder at the company.

"It's a solid job, too, so it's always nice to have in the back of your head," Mowers said.

Raymond is looking hire across the board in manufacturing, assembling, welding, fabrications, shipping, receiving, stocking and even managers.

But if you feel you don't have these skill sets, the OTJ training program will help you get there, so you might be hired, too.

In Greene, Leigh Dana, WBNG TV Action News.

Other businesses in the Southern Tier can also apply for the Department of Labor's statewide OTJ training program by visiting stateOJT@labor.NY.gov

The Labor Department estimates the program will result in new jobs for more than 550 unemployed workers.

To submit a comment on this article, your email address is required. We respect your privacy and your email will not be visible to others nor will it be added to any email lists.