N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Announces $3.4 Million Awarded as Part of New York's Historic Workforce Development Initiative

ALBANY, New York, Jan. 17 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following news release:

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- 61 New York State Businesses, Community Colleges, and Community-Based Organizations Receive Funding for Workforce Development

- Awards Will Fund In-Demand Skills Training for 2,464 Current and Prospective Employees Across the State

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced 61 New York State businesses, community colleges and community-based organizations will receive funding for workforce development totaling $3.4 million as part of the state's historic $175 million Workforce Development Initiative. Professional training is expected to provide 2,464 New Yorkers with in-demand skills. Grant funds are provided by the Department of Labor, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and The State University of New York. Since launching in May 2019, nearly $6.5 million has been awarded through the Workforce Development Initiative.

"These awards will help ensure that thousands of workers across the state are not only prepared for the jobs of today, but are ready to take on the jobs of tomorrow," said Governor Cuomo. "New York's workforce must adapt to the rapidly changing, modern economy and the Workforce Development Initiative will give our workers the edge they need to stay competitive."

"Investing in workforce development is essential to provide New Yorkers with the skills they need for the jobs of the future," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "In order to keep up with the needs of the labor market, New York must lead the way to train workers in advanced manufacturing, health care, and energy to close the skills gap and create a pipeline of talent for employers. This funding awarded as part of the Workforce Development Initiative targets resources to ensure job training is available in our communities for good paying jobs now and in the future that will continue to move our economy forward."

New York's Regional Economic Development Councils play a key role in recommending applications for funding, based on regional economic needs and opportunities. Businesses and organizations from eight REDC regions receiving Workforce Development awards include:

* Finger Lakes: Berry Global, Bonduelle Americas, Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic, Creative Food Ingredients, Cutco Corporation, Harbec, Lifetime Assistance, Markin Tubing, McAlpin Industries, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative, Optimax, Orolia, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Park Ridge Nursing Home, Pfisterer Lapp, Prestolite Electric, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester General Long Term Care, Spectracom, University of Rochester Medical Center, Unity Hospital

* Southern Tier: Appleridge Senior Living, BAE Systems, Buckingham Manufacturing, Coffee Mania, Dick's Sporting Goods Distribution Center, George Industries, Hilliard Corporation, Intertek Testing Services, Stork H&E Turbo Blading

* North Country: Bitters & Bones, Citizen Advocates, Green Goddess Natural Market, Grizle T's, Harvest Hill Farm, Hunt Companies, Juniper Hill Farm, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mountain Lake Services, Sugar House Creamery

* Capital Region: AngioDynamics, Hunt Companies, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau

* Mid-Hudson: The Council of Industry, Hudson River Museum, Hudson Valley Credit Union, Premier Brands of America

* New York City: Garment District Alliance, Montefiore Medical Center, Rebuilding Together NYC, International Rescue Committee, Brookfield Place I, Brookfield Place II, 600 Third Ave in Murray Hill, and Hines Interests

* Long Island: Belmont Child Care Association, Catholic Health Services, Family & Children's Association, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Suffolk County Department of Labor, United Way of Long Island, We Connect the Dots

* Western New York: SoPark Corporation

The professional training projects are supported by SUNY community colleges across the state, including: Adirondack, Broome, Corning, Dutchess, Fashion Institute of Technology, Genesee, Jamestown, Monroe, Nassau, North Country, Tompkins Cortland, and Westchester. Projects funded through NYS Department of Labor include sites in the Finger Lakes, Long Island and New York City. Projects funded through NYSERDA are all located in New York City.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric J. Gertler said, "Starting and expanding successful businesses in New York require a workforce with the skills necessary to support emerging and in-demand fields being developed in the Empire State. I applaud Governor Cuomo's vision, which builds on a winning formula for economic growth and ensures we are training the best talent today for the industries of tomorrow."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Developing a strong workforce pipeline is a significant issue facing communities all across New York State. This initiative helps address that by ensuring that industry leaders are engaged with the education and training providers from early on in the process, resulting in the creation of meaningful training programs that will have a real impact on the problem."

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York's economy is evolving and creating the need to establish a highly-skilled workforce to fill the ever increasing state-wide job opportunities in high growth sectors like clean energy. I commend the Governor for making a significant investment in New York's greatest asset - the workforce to meet the demands of industry tomorrow."

SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, "SUNY's community colleges continue to be the hubs for job training and individualized education as we prepare our students to meet the needs of New York's employers. I applaud the Governor for continuing his deep commitment to our state's workforce to ensure that any employer looking for skilled workers can look no further than right here in New York."

Governor Cuomo's Workforce Development Initiative

Governor Cuomo announced a $175 million statewide investment for the Workforce Development Initiative in May 2019 to support strategic regional efforts that meet businesses' short-term workforce needs, improve regional talent pipelines, enhance the flexibility and adaptability of local workforce entities, expand apprenticeships and address the long-term needs of growing industries. These funds will also support efforts to improve the economic security of women, youth and other groups facing significant barriers to career advancement. The State's Regional Economic Development Councils play a critical role in recommending projects that align with their region's economic and workforce development plans.

In September 2019, more than $3 million in Workforce Development Initiative awards were provided to Mohawk Valley Community College, North Country for Agri-Mark and International Paper, Broome for the Raymond Corporation, Corning for Elmira Savings Bank, and Mohawk Valley for C & H Plastics to dramatically expand high-growth industry apprenticeships

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About NYS Department of Labor

The mission of the New York State Department of Labor is to transform New York's world of work. We empower and protect New York's workforce by administering unemployment Insurance to those out of a job and looking for work, ensuring minimum wage and other labor laws are being followed, and educating all workers about their rights. We build and support businesses by helping them recruit workers, manage their workforce, develop apprenticeship programs and find tax credits and hiring incentives. We help workers find the career they love at our 96 career centers across the state, which provide free services such as job placement, resume and cover letter writing assistance, interview preparation and referrals for on-the-job training for those looking to find a job, change careers or advance in a current career.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, with 64 college and university campuses located within 30 miles of every home, school, and business in the state. As of Fall 2018, more than 424,000 students were enrolled in a degree program at a SUNY campus. In total, SUNY served 1.4 million students in credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education and community outreach programs in the 2017-18 academic year. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York and its students and faculty make significant contributions to research and discovery, contributing to a $1.6 billion research portfolio. There are 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.