2002 Legislative Report from the Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education |
Sheldon Silver, Speaker ![]() ![]() |
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From the Desk of Dear Friends: The Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education is working diligently to see that both upstate and downstate businesses in New York State continue to have a well-trained and skilled workforce that has access to the training and educational supports needed in the global economy. This newsletter highlights some important issues and policies we have been investigating during the past Legislative session. Please feel free to comment on these issues and help me stay informed of your concerns and ideas as we forge a diverse and well-trained workforce for the 21st century.
Sincerely, |
Commission Hosts Youth "Speak Out!" At Annual Black Caucus Weekend Event: February 2002 |
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One of the highlights of the Caucus was a lively workshop on "Youth and Workforce Issues" led by Assemblymember William Scarborough, the Queens Legislator and Chair of the Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education. Panelists’ presentations provoked exciting discussion followed by a "Speak Out!" session with over 150 youth and adults who work in career education programs. Dr. Joseph E. Bowman, Jr., a leading educator and distinguished Regent of the New York State Board of Regents, gave a dynamic presentation on technology and the career opportunities available in that field. Youth were challenged and encouraged to train and study the hard sciences and upper level mathematics courses in preparation for higher education courses and/or training programs. The landscape of the workplace is changing and learning math and science can only enhance career prospects. Dr. Bowman introduced two young graduates of SUNY – Albany who have successfully completed a program in computer science and technology that has opened up a world of possibilities for them. They encouraged the youth to pursue their studies with diligence and concentrated effort.
Ms. Jestine Brown, a constituent of Assemblymember Scarborough and founder and director of the Queens Community Cadet Corps, spoke about the importance of youth working together in creative, supportive networks. Ms. Brown’s program at York College has hosted college tours for youth for over 15 years. The program brings young people to the colleges where college officials help them plan school study programs that will make them eligible for entrance into the colleges they choose.
Andrea Smyth, an advocate for NYC Summer Jobs, spoke of the importance of summer jobs for youth. Training begins when youth use their summer hours creatively and for the benefit of their community. She encouraged the young people to support the Youth Summer Jobs program. One program she highlighted was a bicycle repair training program sponsored by the Henry Street Settlement Houses. In the program, youth are trained to repair recycled bicycles. Once repaired the youth pass the bicycles to younger children whom they instructed about bicycle safety and bicycle care. Summer jobs such as this one not only train youth in concrete skills, but also enhance their community awareness and caring for others.
The forum was followed by a luncheon reception hosted by Assemblymember Scarborough in his suite at the Legislative Office Building. The young people and their chaperones ended the day with a fascinating and moving tour at the State Museum exhibition of “A Slave Ship Speaks – The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie.” Career opportunities again were interjected through the museum tour to further widen the young people’s awareness of specialties and the necessary prerequisite skills for interesting careers. |
Commission Holds Hearing on Implementation of 1998 Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) |
On March 1, 2002 the Commission joined forces to conduct a hearing in New York City. The purpose was to evaluate the progress of the City’s implementation of the new federal job training legislation enacted in 1998 and its impact upon New York City’s workforce development programs. The hearing, held at the Queens Borough Hall, provided a forum for a variety of opinions and positions heard and was cosponsored by the Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education, the Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services, the Assembly Standing Committee on Children and Families and the Assembly Standing Committee on Labor. With the tragedy of September 11th, New York City’s need for training and skills development of its workforce is greater than ever. The loss of businesses and the need for jobs are at a critical stage in the New York City area partly because of the tragedy but also because of the recession. The new federal legislation was enacted to provide expanded funding and programmatic resources to the unemployed, employed, displaced workers and youth in-school and out-of-school in search of skills development and training. The Assemblymembers heard representatives from the City’s government agencies, Department of Employment (DOE), The City Department of Human Resources and State’s Department of Labor. Advocacy groups spoke on issues relating to youth, the disabled, and the unemployed as well as the need for summer jobs for youth programs. The Summer Jobs program no longer funded with federal employment and training dollars was a major concern at the hearing. Advocates from many summer jobs programs explained in great detail the impact of not replacing the federal dollars for this popular program with TANF and or State funds. Assemblymember Scarborough asked Commissioner Wu, NYC Department of Employment, to comment about the impact of WIA on DOE’s capability to provide summer jobs for youth. Jean Seltzer, Assistant Commissioner for Youth Programs, informed the Members that the DOE served approximately 50,000 youth in the last year of the Job Training Partnership Act (JPTA). During the transition year to WIA, July 2000-June 2001, DOE served 39,610 youth with WIA, State and City funds. A preliminary budget proposal called for funding for the Summer Jobs Program to be cut from $35 million to $15 million. "This year", Seltzer said, "with the proposed $15 million state funding, a $20 million reduction from the previous year, we will only be able to serve roughly 22,000 to 25,000 youth." The City will have less tax levy money to fill the funding void because of the residual effects of the September 11th event. Seltzer continued to say, "a more reliable funding stream for summer jobs is very much needed." Assemblymember Scarborough agreed and informed the witness that he was sponsor of a stand-alone, permanent State-funded summer jobs bill. The Commission is happy to report Mr. Scarborough and his colleagues were successful in restoring funding of $25 million in this year’s budget. |
Workforce Investment Act
Coming Soon Your legislators want to hear how the federal legislation impacts workforce development in the Syracuse and Upstate areas
Sponsored by: Watch For The Date!!!! |
2001 Catalog Lists Workforce Programs Throughout the State |
As part of the Legislative Commission on Skills Development and Career Education’s mandate, we have once again tracked the funding and programmatic results of State and federal legislation that establishes workforce preparation programs within New York State. These programs build a strong basis for an educated and skilled workforce. The 2001 Catalog of Workforce Preparation Programs was released in July 2002. It contains information about 73 workforce preparation programs that provide education, training activities and services to employed and unemployed youth and adults throughout the State. The programs are administered by a variety of State agencies, community organizations, schools and colleges to help create a dynamic, trained and skilled workforce. To view the catalog, click here |
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