Grants Through Empire State Development's Office of Strategic Workforce Development Will Support Efforts Throughout the State
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $15 million has been awarded to 13 workforce development projects across nine regions through Empire State Development's Office of Strategic Workforce Development. These grants will support the training of more than 5,700 New Yorkers through collaboration between training providers and more than 40 employer partners in high demand fields such as construction and advanced manufacturing. Through nine rounds of funding, more than $83 million has been awarded to 91 projects through the Office to support training for over 20,000 New Yorkers.
“Reshaping New York's approach to workforce training has been a pillar of my economic development strategy — and we're seeing the results,” Governor Hochul said. “By working with employers in target industries, more New Yorkers are learning the skills needed for high-demand jobs, while receiving the support they need to promote greater success. These projects represent an investment in New Yorkers and the future of our state's economy.”
Governor Hochul first established the Office of Strategic Workforce Development at ESD in April 2022 to support industry-driven workforce programs to ensure that more New Yorkers have the skills for in-demand jobs that pay a living wage in the state's high-growth industries. Pay for Performance (P4P) Operating Grants offer flexible funding to help providers cover programmatic expenses like curriculum development and wraparound services to prepare New Yorkers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials. Workforce Development (WFD) Capital Grants support the capital needs of workforce training providers that seek to enhance or expand their offerings. These programs allow training providers to expand the capacity of successful programs with high placement rates and effective wraparound services.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Developing and building our skilled workforce to meet the demands of high-growth industries has been a priority of Governor Hochul's administration. Through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development, we continue to invest in projects and programs that will further grow the statewide capacity to train more New Yorkers in the jobs of tomorrow.”