African American man wearing a Northland hat working on machinery

Talented Workforce

New York State is building a diverse talent pipeline for the 21st century

New York State’s diverse and talented workforce is a key to business success and growth here. That success is reflected in the record number of Fortune 500 companies that have made their home in New York, in the state’s top-tier educational institutions – and in the state’s ongoing investment in the talent of tomorrow. Unlock your business success in the Empire State and take a look at some of the reasons why businesses are starting, growing and thriving in New York:

Workforce By The Numbers

#1

in the Northeast in total number of STEM grads

#2

in the nation for the highest number of residents who are scientists and engineers

#3

in the country for high-tech employment

Close up of a individuals arms and hands handling a semiconductor chip

We’re educating tomorrow’s workforce. New York is home to top public and private universities (the only state with two Ivies) and to the largest comprehensive public university system in the nation. The state’s now home to the nation’s first accessible, tuition-free college program, the Excelsior Scholarship, whose recipients pledge to stay in New York post-graduation – lending their talent and expertise to NYS businesses. And millennials are discovering New York State offers affordable places to live, work and grow their careers.

Capital Region HVCC Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology class with teacher instructing two students

New York State is actively invested in workforce development efforts and programs designed to train workers for high-quality, in-demand jobs. New York State's Office of Strategic Workforce Development, announced in April 2022, will prepare New Yorkers with the skills to meet the current and future needs of businesses and growing industries, generate new opportunities for New Yorkers and encourage regional economic growth.

New York’s unique industry-university partnerships, including NYSTAR programs and tax-free zones for businesses, also provide opportunities for businesses to benefit from university R&D resources and for students to get hands-on experience in businesses that are launching and growing here.

ON-RAMP Program

The $200 million ON-RAMP Program will help fund and realize a network of four new workforce development centers in strategic, high impact locations in Upstate New York.

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Explore our regions

New York’s rich and diverse regions offer a multitude of advantages for business, from world-class cities to transportation hubs to innovation hot spots and regions ideal for manufacturing, tech, R&D, farming and more.

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Explore by industry

New York is home to innovative companies from a diverse mix of industries. See how businesses like yours are thriving here.

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Why New York State?

In New York State, the future is already here – fueled by the talent and the resources that are leading companies and smart, dynamic, innovative new businesses to start here, move here and thrive here.

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