Senate Passes Workforce Development Legislative Package

(Albany, NY)-State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) voted in favor of a package of bills this week, that will strengthen the state’s economy by training job seekers and existing employees for the employment opportunities that are in demand. The package of legislation is among the results of the Senate’s Task Force on Workforce Development, which has examined ways to close the skills gap by improving the connections between prospective employees and employers looking to hire new skilled workers.

“My colleagues and I in the Republican Conference are committed to connecting people to jobs, and job training opportunities,” said Senator Bonacic. “I’m proud to support this package of legislation that will help give people the tools necessary to compete in a global workforce.”

In May, the Task Force issued a report summarizing their findings and recommendations after holding forums across the state to receive input from leaders in business, labor, public education, higher education, local governments, and workforce training and development. The report identified ways to help improve employee readiness; better meet the workforce needs of private sector employers; connect job seekers with potential employers; retrain those who have lost jobs; and help make New York State’s overall economy more robust, dynamic, and resilient. The legislation passed this week would make great strides in accomplishing these goals and includes:

S7967, expands the type of data collected by the Department of Labor to include forward-facing job statistics that can be used by employers and educators to accurately predict future needs and properly prepare the workforce for career opportunities.

S7921, would invest $35 million to expand New York State’s Pathways in Technology Schools (P-TECHs) and Early College High Schools to meet student demand and enhance educational performance.

S7920, helps increase access to career and tech programs at BOCES. The bill would require the state Department of Education to work with districts to remove some of the stigma associated with taking classes through BOCES; have districts encourage students to take advantage of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) services that BOCES offers; and increase the current salary cap for BOCES instructors from $30,000 to $50,000 to attract and retain qualified and skilled teachers.

S7915, improves participation in apprenticeships by promoting coordination between high school guidance counselors and local building trades councils. The bill requires the state Education Department, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to develop guidelines for guidance counselors to help make students aware of the full complement of options available to them after high school, including apprenticeship programs that allow students to earn a paycheck while undergoing classroom learning under the supervision of a professional tradesman.

S7646, creates the Help Individuals Reach Employment (HIRE) program to help students who have graduated from a SUNY or CUNY institution but cannot find full-time employment.

S7968A, enhances degree or certificate programs at community colleges in order to increase successful job placements for students. Regional Community College Councils would consult with and make recommendations to community college boards of trustees on ways to create new degree or certificate programs, or restructure current programs to improve the connections between the skills being taught and the needs of industry.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.