NYATEP'S ADVOCACY AGENDA

Maintain Investment in One-Stop Career Centers Operated by Local Workforce Boards

Over the past two years, New York’s allocation of federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) has decreased by 12 percent. This is the primary funding for the One-Stop Career Centers that are in every county in New York and provide free employment and training resources to job seekers, especially those with significant barriers to participation in the workforce. Despite this value to the community, more than half of the State’s local workforce boards will receive less WIOA funds in 2025 than they did in 2019.

At a time when the services provided by One-Stop Career Centers are more vital to New Yorkers than ever, particularly those from disadvantaged communities that are underrepresented in the workforce, these funding reductions have implications. The Governor and Legislative have expressed a willingness to invest in workforce development programming in recent years, however, it must also ensure that the existing workforce development system in New York is not left behind.

Recommendation: 

$13 million in supplemental state funding to hold local workforce development boards harmless from reductions in federal WIOA allotment, retroactive to Fiscal Year 2024.

Office of Strategic Workforce Development

In 2022, Governor Hochul launched the Office of Strategic Workforce Development at Empire State Development. Governor Hochul stated, “Our new Office of Strategic Workforce Development will help reduce barriers to training and employment while supporting businesses with their workforce needs.” Since the official launch of the Office in October 2022, it has announced over $60 million in over 65 projects.

NYATEP is advocating for the final enacted budget to include annual funding for the office and specifically dollars allocated to fund scaling effective job training, coaching, supportive services (transportation, childcare, etc.) and employment activities. Workforce development is critical to the State’s ability to realize its economic development investments.

Recommendation 1: 

Annually Fund the Office of Strategic Workforce Development.

Recommendation 2:

Spend down the current funding to those that have fit the criteria, applied and been accepted.

Income Disregard Eligibility

Over the past few years, our provider members have noted a major hurdle that keeps low-income New Yorkers from economic mobility. These organizations have indicated that often, despite wanting to pursue career advancement or on the job training, doing so risks an individual or family going above the income eligibility threshold for public assistance programs. The gradual or sudden loss of public assistance programs, often worth more than the wage increase itself, can result in the family being financially worse off (a benefits cliff) or no better off (a benefits plateau) than before. In short, it does not make short-term financial sense to earn more money and lose crucial sustaining benefits.

The FY 2023-24 Enacted State Budget included a one-time income disregard for individuals whose income doesn’t exceed the 200% federal poverty level (FPL) and completing an approved employment program can retain full public assistance benefits for six months for purposes of mitigating a “benefits cliff.” While we are in support of the Income Disregard, NYATEP and our members are concerned that the language limits the number of people participating due to the 200% FPL cap. We suggest removing the FPL cap completely to allow for all New Yorkers that qualify to participate, regardless of their location in New York State.

Recommendation:

For the 2025-2026 Executive Budget please remove the following language that states a recipient’s total income shall not be more than 200% of the federal poverty level. This language limits the number of participants that are on a career pathway to benefit from this income disregard.

Pre Apprenticeship & Registered Apprenticeship Funding 

NYATEP fully supports Governor Hochul and Assemblymember Bronson’s initiative that would allocate $10 million in local assistance funding to establish apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in high-demand fields. This initiative will help address workforce shortages, provide sustainable career pathways, and strengthen New York State’s economy by ensuring workers receive the necessary training and support to succeed in critical industries.

High-demand occupations across various sectors, including healthcare, technology, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades, continue to face workforce shortages due to a lack of trained professionals. Traditional education pathways may not be accessible to all job seekers, particularly those from underserved communities. By investing in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, New York State can expand workforce readiness, reduce employment barriers, support economic growth in their communities, all while enhancing equity and accessibility for all.

Recommendation: 

Fully fund the $10 million investment in local assistance funding to establish apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in high-demand fields.

(New) New Yorker Opportunities

The Hochul Administration responded to the 2023 influx of (New) New Yorkers by identifying more than 18,000 job openings with nearly 400 employers willing to hire migrants and asylum seekers who have attained legal work status in the United States. This has been a priority issue for New York City and other key parts of New York State.

Recommendation 1:

The State to expand the allowable credentials for these individuals to enter the workforce in New York State and help them fill the thousands of jobs that are desperately needed. 

Recommendation 2:

To alleviate restrictions that may have been implemented preventing them from being previously considered.