2009 NYCETC Legislative and Policy Agenda

Overall Framework
  1. Continue to position workforce development as an essential part of strengthening New York City’s economic competitiveness.
  2. Advocate for new and expanded workforce development funding streams at the city, state, and federal levels, especially as they relate to responding to the economic crisis.
  3. Build on the strengths of and connect the city’s workforce development system -- community-based organizations, community colleges, union-affiliated programs, city agencies, the Career and Technical Education system, and employers -- with a focus on continuity and progress.
  4. As part of the Skills2CompeteNY campaign, promote the importance of middle-skill jobs to the city’s economy.
  5. As part of the Skills2CompeteNY campaign, move the city and state toward providing a guarantee that every New Yorker has access to the equivalent of at least 2 years of education or training past high school during his or her working lifetime, as well as the basic skills needed to attain such education or training.
  6. Ensure that eligible individuals have access to child care and other work supports.

Federal Priorities:

  • Work with federal government partners to ensure that emergency funding is provided to assist unemployed New Yorkers and prevent further layoffs resulting from the emerging economic and employment crisis.
  • Ensure that WIA is reauthorized, or that new workforce development legislation is enacted, and includes adequate funding for adult and youth services. 
  • Work with federal government partners to advance proposals that create employment opportunities through investments in transportation infrastructure, green jobs, construction and other sectors.
  • Support other federal workforce development legislation, such as the Supporting Training and Employment Potential for Underemployed Populations (STEP UP) Act, Second Chance Act and Green Jobs Act, and ensure that they are adequately funded.
  • Work with city government partners and national advocates to position New York City as a strong voice and national model in future workforce development policy.
  • Work with the national Skills2Compete campaign to promote a federal guarantee that every individual has access to the equivalent of at least 2 years of education or training past high school during his or her working lifetime, as well as the basic skills needed to attain such education or training.


State Priorities:

  • Work with state government partners to ensure adequate funding for re-employment and training services to assist unemployed New Yorkers during this emerging economic and employment crisis.
  • Considering state fiscal realities, work to preserve programs that support the needs of New York’s workers, such as workforce development, education and supportive services that are essential to the state’s economic recovery.
  • Renew and increase funding for the State’s Career Pathways Program to support local career pathway initiatives for low-income individuals in high-growth sectors that meet employers’ workforce needs.
  • Ensure that New York State meets its federal TANF work participation rate requirements by expanding access to and directing a greater percentage of state TANF funds toward employment, training, contextualized literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs.
  • Maximize the number of public assistance recipients allowed to participate in full-time vocational education/training under federal law (30% of the state caseload).
  • Expand services and programs for disconnected youth, including the creation of a Young Worker Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
  • Develop closer linkages between workforce development and economic development initiatives at the state level.
  • Strengthen NYC provider representation on the State Workforce Investment Board.

 City Priorities:

  • Work with city government partners to ensure adequate funding for re-employment and training services to assist unemployed New Yorkers during this emerging economic and employment crisis.
  • Considering city fiscal realities, work to preserve programs that support the needs of New York’s workers, such as workforce development, education and supportive services that are essential to the city’s economic recovery.
  • Promote coordination and expansion of the city’s workforce development system by: leveraging CBO networks, offering subcontracts to CBOs to provide specialized services, coordinating outreach to employers, and continuing city-funded projects such as the Jobs to Build On (JTBO) initiative.
  • Develop and implement Career Pathway Programs in sectors with good advancement prospects for low-skilled New Yorkers, and that meet employers’ workforce needs.
  • Continue local funding for employment-focused Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) initiatives that achieve positive results.
  • Use local flexibility to increase the number of public assistance recipients allowed to participate in full-time vocational education/training under federal law (30% of the state caseload).
  • Better connect the adult education and workforce development systems.
  • Expand services and programs for disconnected youth.
  • Work with city government partners to explore alternative sources of funding for workforce development that have been used in other localities to supplement federal and state resources, such as economic development linkage fees, tax increment financing, or employer-based contributions.
  • Establish a Deputy Mayor for Workforce Development or Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development charged with providing leadership and strategic direction for the local workforce development system.