In April 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced an investment of $350 million for workforce development, including the creation of the Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) within Empire State Development (ESD). This new division is charged with better aligning workforce development efforts with the needs and priorities of today's employers.
This investment represents a decisive shift toward a state workforce development strategy that is laser-focused on connecting New Yorkers to quality, in-demand jobs in the state’s fastest-growing industries. Funding supports a $150 million workforce development grant program, administered by OSWD, that will support employer-driven, high skilled workforce training programs.
Investments are focused on statewide priority industry sectors. Through OSWD, ESD is helping to create new economic opportunities for unemployed, underemployed and underrepresented workers, while simultaneously meeting the labor needs of the state’s highest-growth industry sectors.
Since formally launching in 2022, OSWD has hit the ground running and has begun to lay the foundation for the State’s new approach to workforce development, with combined awards totaling over $63 million to 70 workforce development projects across the state which will train more than 14,000 New Yorkers.
The success of the Governor’s historic investment and of this Office depends on partnership and collaboration from numerous parties – employers and industries, workers and unions, workforce development providers and advocates, academic and philanthropic institutions, regional partners, and government agencies. OSWD is committed to partnering with all stakeholders to advance its mission and have a transformative impact on New York State’s workforce ecosystem.
OSWD manages two grant programs focused on creating and expanding industry-driven training that provides in-demand skills and direct job placements in specifically priority economic sectors that have been identified as high-growth throughout the state. Training programs must lead directly to employment in good jobs that pay minimally a living wage, allow for career and salary growth, provide economic security, and remove the need for public assistance. OSWD’s programs also emphasize creating opportunities for underserved populations, including those not in the labor force, un/underemployed and low-income individuals, and which provide wraparound services to help get trainees to and through training.
Applications are now closed for Round 8 of OSWD grant funding. No new applications will be accepted at this time. The application will be unavailable for a short time as updates are made to both the guidelines and the application itself, with an anticipated re-opening in early Summer 2025. Reopening dates and upcoming deadlines will be announced vial the OSWD mailing list (subscribe here).
Provides funding for capital expenses related to new or expanding workforce training programs, including modernization of existing training centers, building new facilities, or to purchase machinery and/or equipment for training.
Provides funding that can be used for programmatic expenses related to new program development or expansion of an existing program, including curricula development, instruction and instructional materials, technology, marketing , and/or trainee supports.
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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Find out more about New York State's investment in workforce development across state agencies.