TYRE, N.Y. -- Construction is 85 percent complete on the $440 million del Lago Resort and Casino along the Thruway in Seneca County. Along with an announcement Tuesday about the workforce came a peek at the progress inside and out.
The casino and spa announced an $100,000 donation to enhance workforce diversity, making the donation to to the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board. This will help fund and train the next generation of skilled workers, like electricians, plumbers and masons.
It's also working with local unions to increase employment of minorities and women. The board will use the money to promote a diverse workforce as it fills the 1,800 permanent jobs at the complex.
Construction is in full swing inside. Several workers have been hired, others are in training and del Lago is still recruiting to hire more.
"If you look back about 30 years ago, there was a lot of industries, there were some plants here that shut down, and the region took a big hit, and so we're excited to bring 1,800 jobs to the community," said Jeff Babinski, resort and casino general manager.
"It looks like over the next 10 years, there's going to be a 27 percent increase in the demand for careers in skilled trades and advanced manufacturing, plus we have to remember the retirements are coming up. A lot of the baby boomers are retiring out of the industry, and we don't have that pipeline to fill," said Karen Springmeier, Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board.
This type of event does give students career awarenewss about jobs in the field, because it does require more than a high school diploma, but not necessarily a four year degree.
The casino is set to open in Feb. 2017, followed a few months later by the hotel and spa.