Globalization and new technologies, however, are transforming our economy, redefining how, where and even whether or not we work. Corporations relocate, leaving workers, suppliers, and support services behind. The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) is a leader in facing these challenges, addressing the redesign, organization, and implementation of employment-related services in New York State.

WDI supports organized labor and working families. We provide workforce intelligence: education and training programs, cultural activities, family support services, information, and referral, economic and public policy research, program development and advocacy.

WDI offers technical assistance to Workforce Investment Boards, and state, county and municipal governments.

WDI works with school districts and community colleges to increase the range and quality of our services.

unseenamerica NYS
Pictures of Working Life Taken by Working Hands

Opening Reception
Tuesday May 6th, 2008
6pm to 8pm
Niagara Falls Public Library
1425 Main Street, 2nd Fl.
Niagara Falls, NY
Read More >>

WDI has developed an education and training partnership with the Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) in New York City. For over 20 years the CWE has provided working New Yorkers with employment education and advancement programs. Working with the unions of the New York City Central Labor Council, representing over 1.4 million New York City workers, and community groups, the CWE produces dynamic solutions for workforce education and economic development. 

The WDI Informational Booklet is available to print or view online in PDF format.

Graphic Work: Imaging Today’s Labor Movement.

A beautiful beginning to a new wave of labor art. Read More >>

unseenamerica NYS

Photos & Stories by The Workers & Family of UAW Local 465

Listen Now to the story which aired on NPR’s North Country affiliate.

Words of inspiration:

Six months before Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, he spoke to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967. King's words were inspirational and moving. They ring true even today; forty years later.

"..When you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn't do it any better....

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."

The full speech can be found on the Seattle Times web site: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/king/words/blueprint.html

Visit the Massena unseenamerica Page for additional information

Contact Information

Administration
96 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210
Tel: 518-463-2141
Fax: 518-432-5609
E-Mail: dgaetano@wdiny.org

Programs
24 Fourth Street
Troy, NY 12180
Tel: 518-272-3500
Fax: 518-272-3501
E-Mail: wparsons@wdiny.org