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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launch of the Workforce Development Initiative last Friday, which invests $175 million statewide for workforce development 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.

"We must ensure the workforce of today is not only prepared for the jobs we have now, but also ready for the jobs of tomorrow," said Cuomo. "The Workforce Development Initiative is another significant step to ensure future growth in the state and help New Yorkers succeed in the 21st Century economy."

In January 2018, Cuomo announced the Workforce Development Initiative concept to strengthen workforce development in New York State. This new Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) will serve as the single point of entry for workforce development funding. Additionally, the State's 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) will play a critical role in recommending projects that align with their region's economic and workforce development plans. Awarding economic development funds through the REDCs utilizes a tested and successful model that brings together higher education, industry and government leaders to plan the future of their regions. After eight rounds of the REDC process, more than $6.1 billion has been awarded to more than 7,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 230,000 jobs. Establishing a new CFA for workforce investments builds on the success of this bottom-up model.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "As our economy continues to evolve, the Workforce Development Initiative will develop a model for the nation that will give New Yorkers the necessary tools to compete in a job market that is constantly changing and increasingly competitive."

The CFA will open to applicants on May 8, 2019 and project plans and applications will be accepted on a continual basis. The funding made available for this initiative consolidates multiple programs administered by various state agencies and authorities.

Awards will fall into one of three categories:

• Public-Private Partnerships to Advance 21st Century Skills: These programs expand the infrastructure and capacity of SUNY and CUNY to produce skilled talent that meets the needs of regional employers. The resources will provide funding for classroom space, technology and equipment, and industry-engaged curriculum development. These programs will also foster connections with regional employers by building structured work-based learning experiences such as internships; co-op learning; apprenticeships; and direct on-the-job training in high demand sectors like life science, STEM, and advanced manufacturing. Funds available in this category are provided through SUNY and CUNY and include capital, apprenticeship, customized curriculum and new job linkage opportunities.
• Employer-Driven Skills: These programs expand employer investment in a skilled workforce pipeline. Resources will provide funding or tax credits to train incumbent workers and to recruit and train entry-level workers. Applications tend to come directly from employers. Funds available in this category are provided by the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Empire State Development for employer-driven employee.
• Workforce Solutions: The Workforce Solutions programs provide flexible funding for innovative workforce development projects. Funds will support strategic regional efforts that meet businesses' near-term workforce needs, address long-term industry needs, improve regional talent pipelines, and expand apprenticeships. The focus will be on regionally significant industries in emerging fields with growing demands for jobs. Funds will also support efforts to improve the economic security of women, young workers and other populations that face significant barriers to career advancement. Successful applications could include sector and industry-cluster-based strategies that regionally address a worker shortage and projects that have the potential to rapidly deploy and meet the demonstrated demand for current or anticipated job openings. Sources of funding from participating agencies and authorities will be matched to proposals, based on details of the project.

In recognition of the varied workforce development challenges faced across the state, a range of projects will be eligible for funding. The focus will be on regionally significant industries in emerging fields with growing demands for jobs, including those in clean energy, life science, computer science and advanced technologies. All projects and activities must be consistent with the region's workforce development plans. Regional Councils will focus on supporting strategic regional efforts that meet businesses' near-term workforce needs, address long-term industry needs, enhance the flexibility and adaptability of local workforce entities, improve regional talent pipelines and expand apprenticeships.

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