Governor Hochul Announces Third Round of Office of Strategic Workforce Development Grant Awards Totaling Nearly $11 Million

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development has awarded nearly $11 million in grants to seventeen projects across the state through the third round of the Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Grant Programs. These grants will support the training of close to 2,500 workers through collaboration between training providers and more than 100 employer partners in fields like IT, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, broadband and construction. 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.

“New York is committed to developing a strong and diverse workforce, and investing in our workers is the most important investment we can make," Governor Hochul said. “This new round of strategic workforce development grants will help New Yorkers acquire the skills they need to succeed in today's economy, while supporting employer-driven, high-skilled training programs that will help New Yorkers thrive in the jobs of the future.”

This third round of awards from the Office of Strategic Workforce Development brings the total investments from the first three rounds to more than $24 million that will leverage more than $17 million in public and private funding and support over 9,000 trainees for over 300 business partners.

The grants awarded to seventeen 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 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, “Successful economic development is built by a well-skilled and well-prepared labor force. Investments like these will reinforce New York State as a producer of high-quality labor and as a hub for industry-tailored workforce training programs, securing the state as a destination for employers from around the world.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Workforce development is an important ingredient in Governor Hochul’s recipe to strengthen New York State’s economic vitality. By providing proper training and education, we are giving New Yorkers the skills they need to better support themselves and their families.”

Round Three Awardees:

Pay for Performance (P4P) Operating Grant Awardees:

Central NY Works – Central NY – $1,000,000: CNY Works’ Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship program will expand its current access, capacity, and programming in order to prepare more diverse Syracuse residents for well-paying construction careers in the union building trades and to meet the increased local demand for skilled tradespeople as a result of large-scale projects, including the Micron mega-fab and the relocation of I-81. Participants are paid for every hour in the program, and graduate into NYSDOL-registered union apprenticeships where they can further develop their careers.

SUNY Jamestown Community College – Western NY – $177,590 and $860,100: Jamestown Community College will enhance and expand their existing Workforce Development programs with two projects: an expansion of the existing Industrial Maintenance Technician and Machining programs; and the development of up to 14 new tech and manufacturing certificate pathways, to be designed with local industry partners and offered in three locations throughout the region. The program will provide trainees with industry-recognized credentials and soft-skills training, preparing graduates to fill the more than 1,000 manufacturing jobs available locally.

Goodwill Industries of Western NY – Western NY – $862,500: Goodwill’s Goodskills Career Builder is a partner-driven career pipeline preparing people of color, people living in or near poverty, and un- or under-employed individuals for further training and career opportunities in the technology and manufacturing industries. Developed to meet industry-specific training needs, the program provides in-depth workforce readiness skills, certifications, career development and post-placement support for up to three years.

Andromeda Community Initiative – New York City – $844,330: Andromeda Community Initiative’s Construction Careers Pathway program is a free, hands-on training program to prepare low- or no-income individuals for general and clean energy construction careers. The program provides graduates with the necessary certifications and credentials to work on NYC construction sites, as well as career preparation and development resources and incentives for job placement and retention. Possible pathways include masonry restoration and green energy construction and energy efficiency.

Trocaire College – Western NY – $753,200: Trocaire’s Jump Start Plus is a new program for un- and underemployed individuals that combines IT career exploration and work readiness training with technical instruction and IT certifications. Training will be broadly accessible with cohorts offered at partner sites throughout Buffalo and Lackawanna and will provide 200 hours of technical skills training with industry-recognized certifications, tutoring, career coaching and mentorship.

CaHill Resources – Western NY (primary), Central NY, Capital Region, and Long Island – $751,211: CaHill’s aQuiRe Construction Academy combines a digital training platform with hands-on learning, resulting in OSHA certifications, on-the-job training, mentorship from industry experts, and continued professional development for two years post-completion. The program will specifically target construction companies who are staffing up to meet the needs of infrastructure projects across the states. Expansion of the program to include wraparound services, especially mentorship, will help ensure diverse trainees are supported as they enter construction careers.

BCAT: Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology – Western NY – $750,000: BCAT will provide free tech training with NYSED-approved courses to marginalized individuals in Buffalo. Pathways include IT Fundamentals, IT Helpdesk Technician, and IT Security, all resulting in industry-recognized credentials. Students will receive a stipend during training and will have access to mental health and career counseling, tutoring, and nutritious meals to increase retention and completion.

Monroe-2 BOCES Center for Workforce Development – Finger Lakes – $700,000: The Electrical Careers Expansion project at Monroe-2 BOCES will establish three short-term but comprehensive programs: Electrical Fundamentals for the Construction Trade, Industrial and Mechanical Electrical, and Industrial Operator. Developed in partnership with local stakeholders, the training will feature hands-on instruction, practice on portable workstation learning systems, and industry-recognized certification, as well as career skills and job placement.

St. Nicks Alliance – New York City – $700,000: St. Nicks Alliance’s, in partnership with General Assembly, will expand their existing employer-driven, credentialed training programs to offer Data Analytics Tech Training to un- and under-employed Brooklyn residents. The program includes credentialed training, career coaching and job placement, as well as assistance from Transformational Coaches who ensure participants receive the necessary support services to fully participate in training, secure employment, and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

CanCode Communities – Capital Region and Statewide – $678,027: CanCode Communities offers short-term, competency-based IT training with a mission to create a more inclusive, diverse tech talent pipeline across the state. Program curriculum is developed in collaboration with IT employers to provide the most relevant and necessary skills for IT careers across many industry sectors. The proposed growth of their Trainee Services team will create an increased capacity to recruit trainees, provide supports, and track programmatic successes as they continue to develop and expand their course offerings.

Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School – New York City – $667,790: MESA Charter High School’s Alumni Lab will develop a 15-week training program in digital marketing to equip participants with both the hard technical skills and professional skills needed to start successful careers in web development, graphic design, marketing data analytics, and technical growth marketing. The program will utilize existing relationships with students and families to recruit from alumni of MESA’s high school programs who are out of school and out of work, providing them with the necessary supports to continue their education and begin careers.

Youth Action Programs and Homes Inc. – New York City – $250,000: Youth Action’s new Next Gen Digital Workforce program is industry-driven training preparing low-income youth for high-demand careers in network management and fiber installation. The program includes 165 hours of training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials, as well as workforce readiness training and job placement with industry partners. The free program is open to low-income individuals aged 18-30 and supports completion through attendance and completion stipends.

Workforce Development Capital Grant Awardees:

Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES – Finger Lakes Region – $1,076,000: Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES will renovate an existing structure at the Wayne Technical and Career Center to increase training space and capacity for their carpentry and electrical trades programs. The program’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity will provide students with increased access to immersive experiences and hands-on training while serving the greater community.

SUNY Jamestown Community College – Western NY – $362,500 and $168,950: Jamestown Community College will enhance and expand their existing Workforce Development programs with two projects: an expansion of the existing Industrial Maintenance Technician and Machining programs; and the development of up to 14 new tech and manufacturing certificate pathways, to be designed with local industry partners and offered in three locations throughout the region. The program will provide trainees with industry-recognized credentials and soft-skills training, preparing graduates to fill the more than 1,000 manufacturing jobs available locally. These two capital projects will provide the necessary equipment needed for the two Operating Grant projects.

CUNY LaGuardia Community College – New York City – $350,000: LaGuardia Community College will convert under-utilized on-campus labs into new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC labs, which were previously housed in rented space off-campus; and will install an Offshore Wind Working at Heights Tower on-campus. Moving these lab spaces on-campus will increase trainee’s access to support services and allow for doubled training capacity and more convenient scheduling options.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “Across the state, advanced manufacturing professionals are in high demand in a wide range of industries from ceramics to semiconductors. Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s ongoing commitment and dedication of funding toward workforce development, our SUNY campuses are meeting the needs of regional employers. We are thankful for the third-round investment in Jamestown Community College, which will expand its stellar industrial maintenance and machinery programs to prepare students including adult learners for successful careers.”

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “This added support for workforce development programming at LaGuardia Community College will help prepare students for jobs in fast-growing, in-demand fields, and we are grateful to Governor Hochul and the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development for their support. At CUNY, we are working to build robust pipelines through which students are trained and connected to employers. It is through these types of creative partnerships that we fulfill our longstanding mission of increasing social and economic mobility for New Yorkers and their families.”

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, "Strengthening our workforce is the key to strengthening our economy. We cannot invest in companies without also investing in skilled employees. As Chair of the Assembly's Committee on Economic Development, I am proud to work with Governor Hochul and the Office of Strategic Workforce Development to bring increased equity and opportunity to our workforce and regional economies. The $11 million dollars in grants will do more than just build up our jobs sectors, it will reinvest in our communities and neighborhoods."

Assemblymember Latoya Joyner said, “Supporting workforce development programs that build careers, the grants announced today invest in enhancing skills and strengthening access to good paying jobs for New York’s families. With a focus on unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers, many of these programs also focus on providing young adults with access to the skills they need to succeed in a competitive job market.

Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The third round of the Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance grants is a welcomed investment for our region. Providing access to high-skilled workforce training and resources is necessary to help establish New York as a nation leading workforce and economy. This grant will enable us to double the number of trainees through the system to help fill the needs of the I81 project that has already started and Micron project to begin next year. I applaud our very own CNY Works and all of the other Office of Strategic Workforce Development grant awardees for yielding meaningful development training across all industry sectors and look forward to working together to building up our public and private development program partnerships.”