As labor shortages continue to plague the casino industry, New York’s Oneida Indian Nation is getting creative as it tries to fill 100 spots in its dealer school across three different sessions this summer.
Oneida Nation Enterprises (ONE) will not only pay dealers-in-training at its ONE Dealer School, but the tribal agency is making 50 new apartments in central New York available for hourly workers at below-market rents.
The units will be available as of July 1 at The Villages at Stoney Creek, a $15 million apartment complex near the Oneida’s Turning Stone casino west of Utica. they will be available for new, full-time employees who are relocating to the area and those filling positions where there are shortages.
“This investment in employee housing is to help fill critical, full-time, hourly positions at our resort—cooks, dealers, hotel jobs, to name a few,” said Oneida spokesman Ray Halbritter in a statement published by the Associated Press. “Upstate New York has been particularly hard-hit by an employee shortage.”
Rents at the complex will start at $550 a month for a one-bedroom apartment with three-bedroom apartments renting for $750 a month.
The apartment offer is part of a major recruitment program launched by the Oneida tribe. Called “Double on a New Career as a Dealer,” the effort will offer ONE Dealer School graduates immediate employment at the tribe’s Turning Stone, Point Place or YBR Casino & Sports Book properties.
The jobs pay an industry-leading salary of $20-$25 an hour, plus a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
Summer sessions for ONE Dealer School will offer a five-week, paid training program with classes that focus on blackjack. Attendees also learn gaming policies and procedures, guest service, game protection, shuffling, cutting checks and basic math. No experience is necessary. Upon completing blackjack training, new dealers will then have an opportunity to learn novelty games right on the casino floor.
Oneida Nation Enterprises also offers employees top health care benefits, generous paid time-off and a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Employees may also be eligible for college tuition reimbursement. With 24 hour-a-day operations, dealers can also choose a shift that works best for their schedule.
Enrollment for the first five-week training session closed June 3. Candidates can apply online by July 8 for the second session, or by August 5 for the third session.
