September 2003

Dear Colleagues:

As Chair of the Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education, I have heard the voices of the hard working constituents who have utilized the catalog for informational purposes or enrolled in one of the workforce education programs. The clients who have taken advantage of these training and education activities and services come from the employed and unemployed, adults and youth in New York State. The importance of these workforce programs is now more than ever critical to our state's economic strength and future.

Keeping these programs at the highest caliber of training and promise is my priority. We must continue to fund programs that will relieve dependency on public assistance and move individuals into the workforce with strong skills and hope.

The Commission has prepared this 2002 Catalog of Workforce Preparation Programs representing over $1 billion of state and federal funding. It gives a clear description of the programs, the eligibility; the appropriations, and those communities served by each program. I hope you will note that the transition from JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) funding sources to the present WIA (Workforce Investment Act) continues to be included in this catalog in order to show the progression of continued programs where necessary.

I hope you find the catalog useful and informative. If you have any questions, please contact the Commission at (518/455-4865).

It is important that I get your input on these and other issues of concern to you. I intend to be a strong advocate for skills development activities for all New Yorkers and invite you to contact me or the Commission with those concerns.