Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development has awarded more than $12 million in grants to fifteen projects across the state through the fourth round of the Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Grant Programs. These grants will support the training of more than 2,000 workers through collaboration between training providers and more than 100 employer partners in fields like construction, building maintenance, industrial manufacturing, renewable energy and software engineering. The Office, which operates under Empire State Development, is charged with supporting industry-driven workforce development programs and practices to ensure New Yorkers are prepared to meet the needs and priorities of employers.
“Developing the workforce of the future is crucial for our continued economic success,” Governor Hochul said. “This new round of strategic workforce development grants will continue our mission to help all New Yorkers acquire sought after skills employers require while providing essential wraparound services so that those who have been traditionally left behind can thrive in the workforce of the future.”
This fourth round of awards from the Office of Strategic Workforce Development brings the total investments from four rounds to more than $36 million that will leverage more than $38 million in public and private funding and support over 11,000 trainees for over 400 business partners.
The grants awarded to fifteen projects today will support employer-driven, high-skilled workforce training programs and reward innovative approaches and best practices that reduce the barriers to participation for high-need communities. The $35 million Workforce Development Capital Grant Program will support the capital needs of workforce training providers that seek to enhance or expand their offerings. The $115 million Pay for Performance (P4P) Grant Program has two funding tracks: flexible Operating Grants that help providers cover programmatic expenses like curriculum development and wraparound services to prepare New Yorkers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials; and Capacity-Building Awards, a data- and metrics-driven approach to scale up proven workforce training programs actively placing graduates in good jobs. Using achievement-based awards, workforce training providers will receive funding to expand the capacity of successful programs with high placement rates and effective wraparound services.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “We believe that investing in workforce development is the cornerstone of good economic development and that requires having people who are ready today with the skills needed for tomorrow. These grants will continue to shine the light on our continued success building high-quality, employer-driven programs that produce top notch talent which adds to the many qualities that attract industries to all corners of New York State.”
Source: ny.gov
Photo Credit: gettyimages-nobilior
Categories: New York, Government & Policy