Senate’s Task Force on Workforce Development Holds Public Forum Examining Ways To Connect People With In-Demand Jobs

     The Senate’s Task Force on Workforce Development today held a public forum to examine ways to bridge the employment gap and help connect people with in-demand jobs.

     “Right now, there are companies looking to hire new employees but cannot find qualified applicants.  We also have people looking for work but don’t have the appropriate training to fill the jobs that are in-demand.  Our challenge is developing new ways to train people for these in-demand positions so that everyone who wants a job has access to one.  Today’s forum allowed us to hear from local stakeholders about the best ways to do that,” said Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District), Co-Chair of the Task Force and Chairman of the Senate’s Labor Committee.    

     Experts from workforce groups, labor organizations, businesses, and higher education institutions offered testimony addressing the following issues:

• The state of the New York economy and sectors of the economy that need trained, skilled workers, today and in the future;
• The proper way to address the crisis of dislocated workers and how to reinsert them into the workforce;
• Developing a better process to connect people who are willing to be trained with the open jobs that are available.

     Speakers included:

• John Lombardo, Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, Suffolk County Community College
• Roger Clayman, Executive Director, Long Island Federation of Labor
• Rosalie Drago, Long Island Regional Director, Workforce Development Institute
• Jamie Moore, Chairman and President, ADDAPT
• Gene Silverman, Executive Director, Nassau BOCES
• Bridgette Senior, Vice President, Alken Industries
• Michael Johnston, Principal, Concorde Hotel Group
• Brian Beedenbender, Vice President of Sales, Teq

     The Senate’s Task Force on Workforce Development is charged with reviewing the state’s existing programs designed to train both job seekers and existing employees for current and prospective employment opportunities, as well as helping to develop new initiatives which improve employee readiness, meet the needs of private sector employers, and create well-paying jobs to grow New York’s economy. 

     Today’s public forum was the latest in a series that the Senate’s Task Force on Workforce Development has held throughout the State over the last several months.  Public forums were also held in New York City, Albany, Rochester, and the Hudson Valley.