Connecting Education to Opportunity
The Office of Workforce Development at SUNY Polytechnic Institute strengthens the connection between education, innovation, and workforce needs—preparing learners for meaningful, sustainable careers while supporting regional and statewide economic growth.
Housed within the Division of External Relations, the Office integrates career readiness, industry collaboration, experiential learning, and advanced training to ensure SUNY Poly students, alumni, and partners are equipped to thrive in high-demand fields.
What We Do
We align education with real-world workforce demand by creating clear, flexible pathways from learning to employment, supporting students, employers, and communities at every stage.
Our work focuses on:
- Career-connected learning and readiness
- Industry partnerships and experiential learning
- High Impact Practices including internships and work-based learning
- Workforce training, certificates, and microcredentials
- Upskilling and reskilling for the existing workforce
- K-12 early engagement and STEM pathway development
Who We Serve
Students & Alumni
We provide equitable access to hands-on learning opportunities that build professional skills, industry experience, and career confidence, so graduates are prepared to contribute on day one.
Faculty & Academic Programs
We support faculty to embed experiential learning, industry engagement, and workforce relevance into curricula and applied learning opportunities.
Industry & Community Partners
We collaborate with employers, nonprofits, and public sector partners to co-design talent pipelines, internships, training programs, and applied projects that meet workforce needs.
Adult Learners & Working Professionals
We support lifelong learning through flexible credentials, advanced training, and upskilling opportunities that help individuals advance or pivot in a rapidly evolving economy.
Our Impact
The Office of Workforce Development directly advances SUNY Poly’s strategic priorities by:
- Aligning education with regional and statewide workforce demand
- Expanding experiential and career-connected learning opportunities
- Strengthening partnerships with industry and school districts
- Increasing access to high-impact workforce initiatives
- Supporting inclusive economic growth in the Mohawk Valley and beyond
Leadership
The Office is led by Erica Schoff, Senior Director of Workforce Development , who brings more than 20 years of experience across K–12 education, higher education, and industry. Her work has focused on building industry-aligned pathways, expanding access to STEM education, and connecting learners to high-demand careers.
Partner With Us
SUNY Poly’s Office of Workforce Development welcomes collaboration with industry, education, and community partners interested in:
- Hosting interns, job shadowing, site visits
- Developing workforce training or credential programs
- Engaging students in real-world projects
- Strengthening regional talent pipelines
Connect With Us: SUNY Poly faculty and external partners interested in collaboration are invited to connect with the Office of Workforce Development by completing this form: OWD Partner Request Form
