Valesky & Klein Stand with Workers on the Production Line to Announce Apprenticeship Proposal for Manufacturing Businesses

New Deal for New York aims to build  infrastructure, generate jobs and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for small- and medium-sized manufacturers

***REPORT ATTACHED***

Syracuse, NY – Independent Democratic Conference Deputy Leader David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) on Tuesday joined workers at Ultra Dairy to advocate for the New Deal for New York, a policy proposal to upgrade infrastructure, create jobs and develop a new apprenticeship program for small- and medium-sized manufacturers in New York State.

The New Deal’s newly proposed Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program would eliminate red tape and financial burdens for companies, like Ultra Dairy, in starting job-training programs and putting New Yorkers to work. It would be rolled out in Central New York.

“Upstate revitalization depends on new job creation and meeting the needs of industries facing demand for skilled employees. Manufacturers, especially, need more skilled workers than are currently available. The New York State Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program  (MIAP) will help companies create apprenticeship programs that simultaneously provide training and also put unemployed New Yorkers back to work,” said Senator Valesky.

“We must help our smaller manufacturers in New York State avoid any obstacles to success. The New York State Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program will remove hardships for companies looking to train and employ workers who want good-paying jobs,” said Senator Klein.

Part of the policy proposal the New Deal for New York, the Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP) paves the way for smaller manufacturers to develop a registered apprenticeship program without bureaucratic hassle.

Right now, businesses must apply to the Department of Labor for sponsorship of a registered apprenticeship program, but the requirements, administrative work and steep cost is beyond the capability of many firms.

The MIAP proposal would allow a single entity, such as the Manufacturers Association, to act as a single sponsor for a registered apprenticeship program that could serve many small- and medium-sized firms. The Manufacturers Association estimates that the direct costs to each business utilizing one of these registered programs would be cut in half.  

In addition, the DOL would also realize savings as it would no longer be dealing with a number of different businesses, each with different levels of experience in this process, but instead would deal with a single sponsor with better knowledge of the process and what tasks need to be accomplished. 

The New Deal for New York also includes the Empire Public Works Revolving Loan Fund (EPW) to rebuild infrastructure and provide New Yorkers with good-paying jobs.

With a revolving loan fund, financing for larger, long-term projects would spur private sector jobs in construction, as well as jobs, among suppliers and other businesses involved in the construction and in catering to the construction workers. 

“Both MACNY and the hundreds of manufacturers and businesses comprising our membership know the value of registered apprenticeship training for growing their own skilled workforce.  Unfortunately, registering and designing a program takes time, familiarity with government processes, and resources most companies do not possess on their own.  Under this plan, a small or medium sized company would be able to work jointly with MACNY and other companies to design a program that would meet their collective needs, without unduly draining money and resources.  This plan would enable more companies to participate in apprenticeships, put more employees on the road to better jobs, and build the overall skill base of New York’s Workforce On behalf of MACNY and the regional manufacturing community, I would like to thank both Senator Klein, Senator Valesky and the IDC Conference on their leadership on this critical issue, and look forward to together creating an effective and long term apprenticeship program,” MACNY President & CEO Randy Wolken said.

“The Central-Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council represents 5,000 construction workers and 17 unions, and those who participate in these programs will have the opportunity to join them. Combining workforce development with infrastructure investment will help local workers gain needed skills to successfully compete in the workforce and to get good-paying jobs that will support them and their families," said Greg Lancette, President, Central-Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council.