Our state already boasts one of the nation’s best-educated and productive work forces. However, competition for jobs are at an all time high and factors, including tax policy, regulations and energy costs, have impacted negatively on our ability to attract and retain jobs. It must be our state government’s top priority to encourage businesses to better train, educate and develop their work force in order that every person who wants to have a better quality-of-life will be closer to realizing their dreams.
On that note, I am pleased that Lt. Governor Mary Donohue has announced $20 million in additional funding has been made available under the Building Skills in New York State (BUSINYS) initiative. Under the program’s guidelines, businesses can apply for grants of up to $100,000 to promote career growth and increased wages for thousands of workers across the state.
The $20 million has been made available in addition to the $18.7 million already awarded under the program. This allocation is the second half of a two-year commitment that will ensure that businesses throughout the next program year will have the ability to rely on the BUSINYS initiative as one resource to help meet their skill training needs. The BUSINYS grant program was developed in consultation with business representatives from a variety of industries who made it clear having a skilled work force is critical to future business development and sustained economic growth.
The program includes:
- Classroom-based training, including training that is designed to meet the specific requirements of a business.
- The costs for consultants to provide the instruction.
- In-house staff training costs.
- Books and training manuals.
- On-the-job Training (OJT) costs.
The training grants will match companies’ significant investments in their current work force and will enable workers to gain valuable industry-recognized certifications or credentials. Statewide awards have been made, totaling approximately $16.5 million to upgrade the skills of more than 18,000 workers.
For more information about BUSINYS, contact the New York State Department of Labor at 518-457-0380 or visit the Labor Department’s website at http://www.labor.state.ny.us or Workforce New York’s website at www.workforcenewyork.com.