How Fort Drum & Local Workforce Development Programs Fuel Our Talent Pipeline

While the North Country boasts a strong network of educational, training and workforce development initiatives on its own, our partnership with Fort Drum has helped us grow into Northern New York’s economic powerhouse.

In fact, as the largest base in the Northeast, Fort Drum is essential to maintaining the thriving talent pipeline that not only supports the Army’s mission, but also drives growth and opportunities throughout the broader regional economy.

Let’s explore how Fort Drum and local workforce development partners fuel talent in the North Country, why that matters, and what local businesses and job seekers should know.

 

Why Fort Drum Matters for Workforce Development

Did you know? Fort Drum is the largest single-site employer in northern New York, with thousands of military personnel, civilians and contractors contributing to the regional labor force. In fact, their economic impact is significant: according to the 2024 Economic Impact Statement, Fort Drum directly contributed about $1.93 billion to the North Country economy in FY24.

Such economic magnitude makes Fort Drum a central partner in regional workforce planning, as its personnel, spouses, retirees and transitioning service members represent a substantial pool of trained talent. After all, roughly 3,600 soldiers and 1,000 spouses make this change each year, resulting in about 4,600 potential members for the local workforce.

Importantly, the installation’s programs don’t just serve active duty military; they also provide transition assistance, employment readiness and community engagement that links into civilian workforce needs. For example, the Employment Readiness Program on-base offers job search support, career coaching, spouse employment help and networking events. In addition, the Next Move NY initiative was also recently launched to help bridge the gap between when military service ends and a civilian career begins.

In short, Fort Drum is both a major employer and a talent source. For any business in Drum Country looking to scale, hire skilled workers or build training pipelines, aligning with Fort Drum-related resources is a strong strategy.

 

 

Drum Country’s Workforce Development Programs & How They Integrate

In Drum Country, the workforce development ecosystem includes public-sector boards, educational institutions and training partners alike.

Key players include:

Regional Workforce Development Boards

Naturally, Drum Country’s three counties offer several localized career resources for residents in their communities. Amongst these is the Jefferson–Lewis County Workforce Development Board, charged with aligning training and employment systems in the region. Likewise, the St. Lawrence County Workforce Development Board provides on-the-job training, incumbent worker training and customized programs for local businesses.

Together, these boards serve as “one-stop” access points for both job seekers and employers seeking workforce solutions.

 

Educational/Training Institutions

Within Drum Country, you’ll find several major educational institutions, ready to prepare students of all ages to meet the challenges of tomorrow. These include SUNY Canton, SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, and the SUNY Ranger School.

In addition, SUNY Jefferson/Jefferson Community College (JCC) offers workforce development programming designed to meet employer needs and provide credentials. This entails industry-specific training, certification pathways and flexible learning (on-campus, satellite centers or online.)

If career changers are looking for something a little less formal, adult education and career & technical education offerings are available through both the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES and St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES. These programs help support both entry-level transitions and upskilling for higher-level roles.

 

Initiatives Targeting Military & Veterans

As mentioned before, the Next Move NY initiative was launched in 2025 to match Fort Drum’s transitioning soldiers, spouses, and veterans with job placement, apprenticeships/internships, and entrepreneurship support. Supported by nearly $4 million in state funding, this program is an essential part of the strategy to build a dedicated workforce pipeline for the Drum Country region. In fact, over 90 employers have endorsed this program, including several here in Drum Country.

 

The Synergy: How Workforce Supply Meets Business Demand

How do all these pieces come together to benefit both talent and employers within Drum Country? Let’s dive in.

01. Employer-Led Training

Businesses can work with educational partners or training boards to create custom programs aligned with their specific needs. For example, this could include certain certifications for jobs in manufacturing, renewables, logistics or defense-support services.

02. Talent Pipeline From Fort Drum

Transitioning service members, military spouses, and civilians near Fort Drum bring transferable skills (leadership, logistics, technical training) that local companies can harness.

03. Strategic Retention of Talent

By offering relevant education or credentials locally, Drum Country reduces “brain drain” and encourages workers to stay in the region rather than relocate.

04. Economic Multiplier Effect

As more trained workers are employed, regional purchasing power and business growth increase, further supporting infrastructure, secondary jobs and investment.

 

 

Why This Matters for Businesses and Job Seekers

For businesses in Drum Country:

• If you’re hiring or planning to scale, tap into the workforce development infrastructure (through workforce development boards, colleges or the Next Move NY program) to reduce recruitment friction and identify trained candidates. Be sure to regularly attend on-site career fairs to connect face-to-face with the military community.
• Consider apprenticeships or on-the-job training options in partnership with the boards and Next Move NY. This helps build loyalty and specialized skills tailored to your operations.
• Being located near Fort Drum is a strong advantage; you’re in proximity to a rich talent base including military-experienced individuals who often seek civilian employment where they’ve put down roots.

For job-seekers, veterans & transitioning military:

• Use the Employment Readiness Program at Fort Drum for resume help, interview coaching, job matching and spouse employment support.
• Meet with representatives from Next Move NY to learn about jobs in Drum Country and across New York State making the region home.
• Consider completing training or earning certifications through JCC and other area partners that align with in-demand industries in the region (such as manufacturing, healthcare, defense support and renewable energy).
• Recognize the region’s commitment to keeping talent in place. Programs like Next Move NY are specifically designed to help you stay and succeed in Drum Country.

 

 

Fort Drum: At The Heart of Local Workforce Development

In Drum Country, workforce development is more than a buzzword; it’s a strategic engine powered by Fort Drum, regional education and training partners, and industry-driven collaboration. Whether you’re a business looking to grow, a veteran transitioning to civilian life or a job-seeker aiming to raise your skill level, this region offers a compelling combination of resources and opportunities.

By leveraging the talent pipeline stemming from Fort Drum, aligning with training initiatives from local partners and tapping into initiatives like Next Move NY, Drum Country is building a future-ready workforce that supports both economic growth and individual career success.