BUFFALO, NEW YORK - In need of skilled workers, Cheektowaga-based transformer manufacturer Niagara Transformer Corp. made a pitch at Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo, NY, hoping to inspire student graduates to come work for their company.

As manufacturers across the U.S. are facing the challenge to find skilled candidates to replace the experienced workers nearing retirement, one of the Niagara Transformer recruiters praised a Northland graduate now working as a tester at the company. Previously, the same person was working at a supermarket's deli counter, reports The Buffalo News.

Northland Workforce Training Center offers programs in electrical, machine tool and welding, with the electrical program having a waiting list. Additional training programs focused on energy are also planned. However, a challenge is to find teaching staff - individuals with experience in their trade and the ability to manage a classroom.

Meanwhile, demand from employers to hire Northland graduates runs high.

"The amount of jobs that are out there are so plentiful, and as the employees are aging out and retiring, there's no backfill," said Guy Allan, placement manager for the training center, "So this is the perfect opportunity to backfill these jobs."

Source: The Buffalo News