WDI News

WDI Training Grant Helps Mohawk Valley Company Compete

ahilliard — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:03:13 GMT

Using a training grant provided by the Workforce Development Institute, Custom Tool and Modeling Corp (CTM), trained 25 of its employees in Environmental Safety Management. Because of increasing quality and environmental standards, this certification is often a prerequisite for doing business in the aerospace, military, and medical fields. This training has not only put CTM on the cutting edge of technology, it has made them more competitive and helped maintain advanced manufacturing in New York State.

WDI Graduates 19 from Cornerstone Program

ahilliard — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:13:24 GMT

Cornerstone is a WDI program that, in partnership with NYSERDA, provides training to low income or unemployed individuals who are interested in a career in the building trades and/or energy efficiency work. Students receive 80 hours of instruction within a 10 week period, and are able to get hands on training through work with Habitat for Humanity and the Buffalo Urban League.

In addition, students learn what qualities employers look for in a good employee, and the basic skills needed to succeed on the job. Cornerstone graduates have been placed in various apprenticeships, and jobs in weatherization, lead abatement, and building retrofitting work.

Congratulations Graduates!!

Register for Women and Work: Taking the Lead Conference

ahilliard — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:32:23 GMT

Women and Work: Taking the Lead Conference

WOW Conference Agenda Final

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR SATURDAY ONLY!!!

FRIDAY IS ENTIRELY BOOKED

Keynote Speaker
NYS DOL Commissioner Colleen Gardner
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand via Video Message

WDI Bread and Roses Award to Colleen Gardner
Featuring "Practical Steps to Success in the Workplace" with Ginny Corsi

Plenary Sessions:
“Legacy: Woman to Woman - Passing the Torch"
“Women and the Arts - We Want Bread and Roses Too”
“Making Work/Life Balance Happen”
“What Women Are Thinking - Goals for Today and Tomorrow"

Workshop Sessions:
“Public Speaking”
       “Conflict Management for Women Leaders"
“Entrepreneurship”

Entertainment on Friday night provided by:

Women & Work: A Photographic Perspective with
Diana Mara Henry
And
MopCo Improv Theatre.

Women of the Workforce Fashion Show: Highlighting Diversity

FREE * SEATING LIMITED * MEALS PROVIDED

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Friday, March 9, 2012 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 10, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Desmond, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, New York
For more information contact Susan Hains at 518.272.3500 or shains@wdiny.org

Child Care and Economic Development: It's More Than a Women's Issue

ahilliard — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:17:35 GMT

Child Care and Economic Development: "It's More Than a Women's Issue"

Dr. Mildred Warner, Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University

Dr. Mildred Warner is a Professor in the Department of City and Regional planning at Cornell University where her work focuses primarily on local government service delivery and new community development models for addressing human services. She leads a national effort on planning for family friendly cities - including the links between economic development and child care.

Join us for a discussion surrounding the link between the child care sector and regional economic development. Child care provides a critical piece of the social infrastructure supporting children's development, facilitating parents' employment, and stabilizing an area's workplace.

An event sponsored by the WDI Women of the Workforce Initiative

Free Event.............Space is Limited

Contact: Wanda D. Parsons at
518.272.3500 Ext 100 or wparsons@wdiny.org

Wednesday, February 15, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
SEFCU Corporate Headquarters
Dora Maxwell Auditorium
700 Patroon Creek Blvd, Albany, NY

Panel Discussion Scheduled: Making the Law Work for Women in the Workforce

ahilliard — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:27:12 GMT

Save the Date

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

4:00 - 7:00 pm

Making the Law Work for Women in the Workforce

Panel Discussion:

Capital District Educational Opportunity Center

145 Congress St, Sidman Hall, Troy NY 12180

Panelists

Alyssa Talanker, Attorney

Consultant, Workforce Development Institute, Troy

Jen Barkan, Resource Manager

U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants, Albany

Lisa Frisch, Director

Capital District Women’s Bar Association Legal Project, Albany

Andrea Goldberger, Funds Administrative Director

United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Oriskany

Susan Antos, Senior Attorney

Public Benefits Policy & Litigation, Empire Justice Center, Albany

Holly Clark, President

Kate Mullany Coalition of Labor Union Women, Albany

Panel Focus

Job Discimination, Including Sexual Harassment
Wage Theft, Family Medical Leave, and Unemployment Insurance
Right to Organize & Working under a Negotiated Contract
Domestic Violence, Pregnancy, and Family Issues
Language Access and Cultural Integration

To Register Click Here

Or Call 518-272-3500 for Shelly or Lynn

You're Invited to a New Webinar

ahilliard — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:44:00 GMT

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) and the AFL-CIO's Working for America Institute are proud to present this webinar, which offers a macro-view of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and its impact on workers who lose their jobs as a result of trade policies. You'll get an overview of the recent changes to the program stemming from the recently enacted TAA Extension Act. You'll also hear about some of the implementation issues at the state level, and learn about the impact of the recent amendments on the IRS's Health Coverage Tax Credit Program. Workers and their advocates, state workforce agencies, and other community groups interested in the recent changes to TAA will find this webinar helpful.

Presenters:

Mike Goldman, DWP Labor Liaison, MN DEED

Ragini Kapadia, Senior Economic Analyst, Working for America Institute

Laren Neatherlin, Outreach Coordinator, Stakeholder Support IRS HCTC

Debra Schlekewy, TAA Coordinator, MN DEED

Lindsay Webb, TAA Coordinator, NELP

Moderator:

Lynn Minick, Workforce Development Specialist, NELP

"The Implementation and Impact of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011"

Friday, January 27, 2012

1:00 - 2:00 PM EST

Space is limited

Reserve your webinar seat now at:

http://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/658669074

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

System Requirements

PC-based attendees

Required: Windows 7, Vista XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh-based attendee

Required: Mac OS X 10.5 or newer

WDI Trade Assistance Adjustment Outreach Forum recap

ahilliard — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:12:49 GMT

The WDI Trade Assistance Adjustment Outreach Forum was held in Albany on November 3rd. Seventy people attended presentations from the National Employment Law Project, the Working for America Institute, the NYS Department of Labor, the US Department of Commerce, the CSS WIB and workers directly affected by plant closings. Here is some of the information concerning TAA that was shared with the Forum.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance and Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Programs

TAA Benefits Chart

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms

Trade Adjustment Assistance - NELP

TAAhelps.org

Access to Affordable, High Quality Child Care

ahilliard — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:42:15 GMT

The importance of child care and child care subsidies to the local economy, and in the long-term, the economic development of the region and NYS cannot be overstated. Child care is economic development! Child care subsidies support child care businesses! Child care subsidies strengthen a family’s opportunity to advance economically. Child care and child care subsidies support workforce development and stability. Child care is a critical social infrastructure necessary for economic development.

Quality child care allows parents to work and focus on their job. It allows children to learn and grow in safe, learning environments. It fosters small business growth and development.

Studies have shown that access to child care enhances the composition of the workforce by allowing parents (or guardians) to remain in the workforce (employee retention), access workforce development opportunities, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, reduce stress related health issues, and, in general, improve customer service and the business environment. However, the cost of quality child care can be prohibitive for families. In 2011, a family of four with two working adults and two preschool children, living in Albany County, New York, with an annual gross income of $44,700 (200% of FPL) would pay an average of $424 a week ($22,048 annually) for two slots in a licensed child care center (see NYS OCFS 2011-2012 Market Rates). This leaves the family a gross income of less than $22,652 for living expenses. The Workforce Development Institute’s Child Care Subsidy Facilitated Enrollment program supports families, workforce development and the regional economy.

Quality, accessible, affordable child care for infants, preschoolers and school age children is essential if parents are to be able to work the necessary hours, improve their skills, and perform their jobs without undue absence or lateness.

Workforce Development Institute Child Care Subsidy Facilitated Enrollment families say it best!
• “Without subsidy, day care expenses wouldn’t be as manageable and being able to provide a home would be nearly impossible. “
• “Having quality child care allows me to keep my job and have peace of mind that my children are taken care of by quality staff.”
• “After maternity leave, I was able to continue working the same hours and thus securing my position with this company. Without it I couldn’t afford to work.”
• “I was able to go from part time to full time.”
• “I would have lost my job and went in debt; it would have turned my life in a direction I didn’t want to be in.”
• “I was able to take a permanent job with a higher salary that was too high for DSS. I would have had to remain at my lower paying job so that I could keep assistance through DSS.”

Challenges Women with (Dis)abilities Face in the Workplace: Overcoming Barriers; Sharing Abilities!

ahilliard — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:46:09 GMT

Conference Flyer - Click to view more details on the event

Workforce Impact Review Essential to Economic Development Council Work

Ed Murphy — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:49:16 GMT

Dear Colleagues:

As the Regional Economic Councils proceed with their work, I look forward to the distribution of $1 billion in grants, with some concern that the workforce development needs might get lost in the planning and procurement process. While most of the attention is on the meetings of the Councils and discussions, it will be interesting to see how distribution of these funds takes place. The Councils cannot give away money, but they can recommend strategies for distribution of these funds in order to affect economic development and job growth. For actual distribution of funds, the State’s procurement rules remain in place.

An amount of $200 million will be allocated to four (4) regions based upon their strategic plans. Another $800 million will come directly through previously committed funds from state agencies and public authorities. We need to think beyond the November 15, 2011 deadline for each Council to complete their planning process and make certain that in the end, a trained workforce is ready to carry out the many projects resulting from the Regional Council initiatives.

Incorporation of Workforce Impact Statements

The question is what can any of us do to affect this process and help it succeed? I am offering an idea.

Across the country businesses are encouraged to move into a region which offers tax abatements and improved physical infrastructure. They also need skilled workers. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA’s) experience with purchasing rail cars from Kawasaki, in Yonkers, comes to mind. Approximately 10 years ago, the MTA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) without requiring a workforce impact statement as part of the bid. After winning that contract from the MTA, Kawasaki decided regional workers did not have the new skills required. Rather than working with regional employers, Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), state agencies, schools, unions and training providers to develop the appropriate skills, Kawasaki brought workers in from Japan under special visas. These temporary workers came, worked and brought their skills and New York taxpayer funds home with them.

While we can be glad the jobs were in located here, New York State missed an opportunity to strengthen our regional economy and skill base and capacity for future projects. With that example in mind, I am concerned the regions will not utilize available funds to strengthen the local skill base and will miss the opportunity for ongoing economic development. As a remedy, I am proposing language to be added to each region’s strategic plan. We have heard of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) required before building a project. I propose a Workforce Impact Statement for public grants. If we succeed in introducing this wording, the regions will highlight the economic value of a highly skilled and adaptable workforce and multiply the value of awarded funds.

Workforce Impact Statement for Insertion into Regional Economic Plans

“In order to foster New York State job creation, hire unemployed workers and build a foundation for a stronger regional economy, the (Name of Region) Economic Council recommends that any Requests for Proposals (RFP) or similar procurement instruments for grants of public funds to be allocated through this process require the applicant to submit a Workforce Impact Statement (WIS). This workforce analysis must identify the workforce skills needed to accomplish the purpose of the grant, an applicable skills inventory of workers available within a 50 mile radius of the project and a strategy for hiring or retraining workers to meet the demands of the project. The training strategy will include an inventory of strategic partners within the region and their proposed role in addressing the workforce demands of the applicant.”
There is a consensus in this country demanding that government must help stimulate jobs. This language enables the Regional Councils and then New York State to do just that. It is common practice for applicants for public funds to attach letters of support. This process asks the applicant to take the next step and directly pay attention to jobs.

Please share your views on this proposal back with me and pass this language onto anyone you know who is participating in a Regional Economic Council. The state agencies are beginning to issue RFPs for the $800 million dollars. WDI will continue to monitor this process and assist anyone who wants to discuss the Regional Economic Councils with us.

Best wishes,

Ed Murphy
Executive Director

Why invest in early child care and education?

ahilliard — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:23:21 GMT

Quality child care helps more than just families and children. It supports the local economy, making child care a good investment. Payments to child care providers and centers feed the economy because workers and their employees immediately turn around and use their income to pay mortgages, buy food and support other local services. Child care programs are small businesses and in 2011 nearly 1 million children under the age of 6 in New York State were in need of child care.

According to James Heckman, Nobel Laureate and Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, the interdependence between the economy and quality early care and education (including child care) is critically important and widely undervalued According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; early childhood education has a tremendous impact on the national economic security and viability of the American dream.

Nationwide Statistics

• 68 million women are in the workforce-half of all US workers - while 54% work full time (www.whispy.com/working_women_in_the_workplace.htm)
• 72% of absenteeism is due to child care related issues. (US. Dept. of Labor)
• 24% of working women report they had to cut back their work schedule at least one day out of seven to meet care giving obligations.( Heymann, S. J., The Widening Gap: Why American Working Families are in Jeopardy and What Can Be Done About It, 2000)
• U.S companies lose $3 billion annually as a consequence of child care-related absences
(http://www.winningbeginningny.org/documents/whyshouldemployerscare_eclc_paper.pdf)

Businesses report that there is less absenteeism and less turnover when quality early childhood programs are available.

We know that the first five years are critical in a child’s life with approximately 85 % of the brain development occurring during this time period. When subsidized child care is not available, working parents often have to leave their child in unsafe or inconsistent arrangements which hamper a child’s grow and development. With concern over school readiness, we must make early care and education a priority. We can not waste these early formative years.

Why invest in early care and education? Investing in early care and education stimulates the economy, keep families working and helps develop the workforce of the future.

Betty Bellino
Program Associate
Workforce Development Institute

Seeking Graphic Posters!

ahilliard — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:46:21 GMT

Cornerstone Success Stories

ahilliard — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Workforce Development Institute, Inc (WDI) has a pre-apprenticeship program that recruits and screens potential students (adults) from under-served and/or minority populations and provides training to prepare them to enter a building trade apprenticeship program. This program, called the Cornerstone Program, was started in the Capital Region in 2008 with WDI funding and has been so successful that in 2010 WDI was awarded ARRA funds through the NYS Department of Labor to continue and expand it into Central NY (Syracuse). The Cornerstone Program provides training in a blend of soft skills, math, English and energy efficiency that provides students with the skills required by registered apprenticeship programs. The students, who are all either low income or unemployed, and may have multiple barriers to employment, also receive extensive wrap-around support services including career guidance and job placement.

Todd

Todd is a 45 year old man who lost his job at Magna when the facility “downsized” in Syracuse. He had been employed, through many changes, at Magna/Chrysler/New Venture Gear for 13 years. After becoming unemployed, Todd began earnestly looking for work. Although he is a great candidate who interviews well, is punctual, hard working, with good references, and a CDL license, he was unable to find work. Todd attributed the lack of job offers to the fact that he has a felony conviction from his youth. While he was unemployed, Todd continued to educate himself in skills that he hoped would lead to employment in the construction industry. Despite his efforts to improve his skills, when he attempted to pass an apprenticeship test, he was unsuccessful twice.

When Todd learned of the Cornerstone program, he was very hopeful. He attended class unfailingly every day. Through our partnership with the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, Todd was able to take advantage of a math tutor on a daily basis to improve his skills. He was one of only two students in that class who consistently worked with the tutors. An additional benefit that all students receive is the OSHA 10 hour class. It provides them with an advantage that other potential employees don’t offer to an employer. Upon completion of the class, and as part of the case management that Cornerstone provides, Todd was a regular visitor to the WDI office as he continued to look for work. He occasionally needed help filling out application forms online and knew that as a participant in the program, he had continued access to our computers and the availability of the Program Coordinator to assist him when needed. Todd took 3 apprenticeship tests and had callback interviews for all of them. The program coordinator, through the relationships that we’ve developed with the unions, was able to speak to union representatives on Todd’s behalf and provide solid references. He is currently working as a Laborer’s apprentice and is performing well in his new job. He is excited to be employed in a position that will provide a living wage and benefits for him and his family.

Cathy Peterson

Cornerstone Program Coordinator

A View From The Backstretch - A WDI Sponsored Art of Labor Program

ahilliard — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:49:44 GMT

Photographs by Backstretch Workers are on display at The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga July 18-December 31st! To view the online gallery, visit our Facebook Page.

Female Veterans of Military Service in the Mohawk Valley

ahilliard — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:31:50 GMT

Have your voice HEARD

Join in the creative PROCESS

Collaborate with WDI in the design of a cultural transition/workforce development training program.

TOPICS FOR CONSIDERATION

Barriers to Civilian Reentry

Social

Financial

Educational

Occupational

Join WDI and local community partners as we develop a customized training program based on self-assessment of personal interests, needs, and strengths.

Contact Information:

Mary Jo Ferrare, WDI Regional Director
(315) 793-5329 mjferrare@wdiny.org

Mary Mott (315) 793-5305 mmott@wdiny.org