March 15, 2024
On March 15th, Majority Leader Amanda Farias and her committee received testimony from NYCEDC President Andrew Kimball. You can find video of the hearing here. During public testimony, Gregory J Morris, Chief Executive Officer of NYCETC requested that the Council commit to the linkage of workforce development and economic development through the following 10 budgetary/legislative action items:
1-Restoring all reductions in job training and workforce development opportunities for unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers. From the elimination of two Jobs Plus sites to the “pause” of CUNY Cultural Corps, we have heard at each committee hearing so far both modest and significant PEGS or “pullbacks” on programs and services intended to support jobseekers… PEGS that reduce or eliminate programs and services focused on preparing New Yorkers – especially economically disadvantaged New Yorkers – for current and future employment opportunities are misaligned with the priorities of the administration and will have a deleterious effect on the City’s economic growth.
2-Reviewing the value/impact of Small Business Services and Workforce Development Initiatives in the expense budget. There has been limited adjustment/alteration to the specific initiatives with Small Business Services and Workforce Development Initiatives to reflect a post-pandemic focus on training and job readiness…
3-Investing in the Small Business Services and Workforce Development Initiatives that work. The most targeted initiative focused on workforce development in the expense budget [Job Training and Placement Initiative] has only increased by $500,000 in three years from $8,000,000 (FY22) to $8,500,000 (FY24)… We encourage the Council to analyze the specific value and return of investment on the Job Training and Placement Initiative and add new intermediaries and organizations…
4-Equipping District Offices with a dashboard and resources to connect constituents to job training and employment placement opportunities in the district and borough. NYCETC has produced a Dashboard Tool that represents the activities taking place at nearly 400 training locations across NYCETC’s member community.
5-Expanding the capacity of job training providers serving new arrivals to meet the current and future needs of employers with significant vacancies through [new] Small Business Services and Workforce Development Initiatives focused on contextual training opportunities.
6-Expanding youth pathways to municipal jobs through a [new] targeted Small Business Services and Workforce Development Civil Service Pathways Initiative — In alignment with comments made by City Council Speaker Adams during her State of the City address this week, NYCETC strongly supports the development of career-track roles in city government.
7-Supporting the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment – The vote in favor of City of Yes for Economic Opportunity isn’t a panacea, but it brings us closer to achieving the vision of new New York through the modernization of our zoning and the reduction of impediments that keep us from finding footing in the work, live, and play spaces that every community and neighborhood needs to thrive…
8-Passing legislation that requires the New York City Council [prior to voting on any legislation, and city agencies, prior to submitting a proposal to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule or regulation] to consider that proposal’s economic impact on New York City families and businesses.
9-Launching a City Council Committee Working Group and/or Task Force focused on funding the workforce development system. This effort should consider ‘setting a wage floor,’ ‘requiring development deals to include investment into a workforce development fund,’ and ‘partnering with the philanthropic community to create employer/training networks in neighborhoods with future planned economic development.’
10-Launching a City Council Committee and/or Sub-Committee on Workforce Development Results/Outcomes – A sub-committee could track employment, wages, return on investment, and equity and inclusivity measures related to occupations/industries in NYC.