New York State Announces $12.7 Million to Train Low-Income New Yorkers in Cutting-Edge Fields

• by New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

NEW YORK, NY (07/16/2009)(readMedia)-- At a press conference at Solar One in New York City, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced $12.7 million to fund job training and education programs to improve the economic prospects of low-income workers throughout the state. The Career Pathways initiative, which will provide training at 28 sites statewide, including 19 in New York City, is designed to prepare low-income workers for careers in high-demand fields, such as green technology and construction, and health care.

Individuals eligible for this initiative include public assistance recipients, low-wage workers and people receiving unemployment insurance in households with incomes of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

"Advancement in the workforce, and with it economic self-sufficiency, is often difficult for many low-income workers to achieve," said Kristin Proud, Deputy Director of State Operations, who is overseeing OTDA. "Without additional training and skills development they have little prospect of advancing to higher-wage jobs and increased economic security. The Career Pathways program is critically important as we work to ensure all New Yorkers have the tools they need to achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency."

"Traditionally, New York's low-income workers are among the first casualties of economic downturns and this recession is no different," said State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith. "Worker training programs in in-demand occupations, combined with strong supportive services, can lift individuals and their families out of poverty and put them on a path to economic independence. That is the goal of the Career Pathways program, and thanks to this new funding hundreds of lives will be changed for the better."

"Now more than ever, New York State needs to take a targeted approach in combating the problem of joblessness within our most at-risk communities," said Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Social Services. "Career Pathways is exactly that sort of program, helping to develop a quality workforce designed for high-growth sectors of the job market and moving New York State residents forward towards financial independence. This year the State Legislature doubled the funding for Career Pathways and I look forward to seeing the dividends of this program paid out in terms of reduced reliance upon the State safety net and the upward financial movement of lower income communities, now and at increasing levels as Career Pathways moves forward."

Career Pathways links basic education to occupational training, and when combined with integrated support services, enables participants to advance over time to higher-wage jobs in targeted industry sectors. Such an approach has been found to lead to higher wages and benefits.

In 2008, OTDA and DOL awarded nearly $5 million in funding to 16 organizations to launch Career Pathways programs earlier this year. This new round of grants will bring additional funding to those 16 programs, while providing funding for 12 other organizations to start their own Career Pathways programs.

Organizations receiving funding are listed below:

Existing Career Pathways Providers

New Career Pathways Providers

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