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State Announces New Job Training Program for Low-Income Workers
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced that $5 million in federal funding will be made available to provide education and training programs designed to better prepare individuals – especially young adults - for careers in high-demand fields, through an unprecedented collaboration between OTDA and the State Department of Labor (DOL).
"This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates Governor Paterson’s commitment to continued investment in our state’s workers, even in light of our difficult fiscal condition, in order to have a trained and prepared workforce for businesses to tap into," said OTDA Commissioner David Hansell. "If we are going to give our young people a chance to succeed in the 21st century workforce, we need to provide them with the skills needed by high-demand industries that offer advancement and true career potential."
Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, Chairman of the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services, said: "With over fifty percent of black males in New York City unemployed and many more remaining underemployed, it is essential that we offer programs to ease this costly inequity within our neighborhoods. Career Pathways will serve as a formidable training entity, thus ensuring that local industries have a one-stop hiring center for in-demand trades and careers. This will not only empower those on public assistance, but also will enable them to become self-sufficient as they move forward towards economic prosperity."
A request for proposals was released last week, and it is expected that funding will be awarded so that programs can be operational by January 1.
The Career Pathways initiative will support at least 10 pilot programs with grants of as much as $500,000 each. Plans call for five of the programs to be located in New York City, where an additional $200,000 has been committed from private foundations as part of a public/private partnership to help low-income workers develop a pathway for career advancement.
The programs will be led by community-based organizations that will coordinate and connect employers, community colleges, labor alliances, faith-based organizations and other community groups with an interest in fostering job growth for low-income wage earners. Those eligible will include individuals on public assistance as well as low-wage workers and people receiving unemployment insurance in households with income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
DOL Commissioner M. Patricia Smith commended Governor Paterson on his commitment to low-income youth. She also touted the strategic investments in training for high demand jobs that are being provided through the Career Pathways initiative, saying they go hand in hand with the Labor Department's statewide "Brain Gain" initiative, which is targeted toward making our state competitive and keeping our workers right here in New York.
"Time and again, I have seen examples of workers who have proven what they can do when the right investments are made in them," said Commissioner Smith. "All workers, particularly our state's struggling low-income workers, deserve a chance to get to that next level. Whether you're interested in becoming a nurse, or are looking to get in on the ground floor in an emerging industry, Career Pathways can be your launch pad to a fulfilling world of work right here in New York."
Tim Ford, Executive Director of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition, said: "New York's economic competitiveness depends on our ability to have the best trained workforce in the world. This investment in building career pathways to support our emerging workforce moves us in the right direction. We applaud the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and Department of Labor for their collaboration and commitment to this issue. We hope this pilot is the first step in a sustained investment that will expand economic security for all New Yorkers."
John Twomey, Chief Executive Officer for the New York Association of Training and Employment said: "As the baby boomers begin to retire, New York's businesses need a supply of skilled workers to replace them. Career Pathways is a proven approach to help low wage workers obtain the skills they need to both fill this business need, and move up the economic ladder toward self- sufficiency".
Commissioner Hansell said the gap between low-income families and the middle class is getting wider and that the only way to reverse that is through increased training and education.
"We have had great success in New York in helping people leave welfare and enter the workforce, but we have found that many continue to struggle in low-wage jobs with little opportunity for advancement," said Commissioner Hansell. "Programs like this are essential to ending that cycle and giving low-income families a real chance at achieving economic security."