Press release from NYATEP

2021 STATE OF THE WORKFORCE BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS ONGOING CHALLENGES IN NEW YORK’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY – The Labor Market is Recovering, but More New Yorkers Need Skills and Credentials to Benefit

ALBANY, NY (December 8, 2021) The fourth edition of the State of the Workforce was released this week by the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP). The Brief finds that New York’s economy is slowly recovering, and despite the open jobs the State is struggling to keep up with the demand for workers, and workers continue to struggle to access good paying jobs that meet their economic needs.

Developed with publicly available information, the Brief aims to provide a ‘point in time’ snapshot of New York’s local and regional economy and the impacts on the workforce. “Our goal is to spur a statewide conversation about the need to invest in strategies that lead to the development of talent that is responsive to regional needs,” said Melinda Mack, Executive Director of NYATEP. “You cannot solve these issues, if you are not clear about who is and isn’t working in New York, the educational attainment and credentials being added into the labor supply each year, what sectors and occupations are growing and the costs impacting working New Yorkers.”

Prior to the pandemic, the jobs being created largely did not afford New Yorkers with an adequate wage. In the 2019 State of the Workforce brief, NYATEP reported that 9 out of 10 of New York’s fastest growing occupations paid less than $32,000 per year and primarily were focused in sectors hard hit by the pandemic: Retail, Accommodations and Food Service and Healthcare. In 2021 of the ten largest occupations statewide by volume (accounting for 6.5M jobs), only one occupation requires a high school diploma/equivalency or less, and even at a median pay grade, only four occupations exceed New York’s 2021-2022 Income Guideline poverty level of $49,025.

In response to the data, Brian Williams, NYATEP Board Chair and Commissioner of the Rensselaer County Department of Employment & Training went on to say, “With the rising costs of childcare, transportation, housing, etc. New Yorkers are not making ends meet with the jobs being created. Additionally, high-wage jobs going unfilled across the State due to the lack of skilled workers, is a loselose for businesses and communities.” He continued, “Every New Yorker in the State who wants to work and grow their career should be able to benefit from the State’s economic growth. Workforce development is economic development, and data like this allows workforce organizations to better align
training with demand.”

Ms. Mack added, “When you look at the data and see that an astounding 38%, equating to over 5 million New Yorkers 25 years or older, have a high school diploma/ equivalency or less and 796K never even entered the 9th grade, we should all be concerned and work to resolve this.”

Additional key findings included in the brief are:

COVID dramatically altered the labor market and New York City bore the brunt of the impact
• In just one week at the height of the pandemic, New York State experienced an unprecedented 16% unemployment rate, with some communities hitting above 20%, and nearly 400,000 New Yorkers applying for unemployment Insurance.
• New York City lost 933,000 jobs in just two months, representing one in every five jobs. Recovery continues to be extremely sluggish as only 48% of lost jobs were regained by September 2021.
• Large sectors including Leisure and Hospitality, Accommodations and Food Services and Retail were hit hard and still slow to recover. Overall, there are 2.8 million less jobs in New York than pre-pandemic.
• In September 2021 there were 543,000 job openings in New York State, however New Yorkers are dropping out of the labor market. As of August 2021, it was 2.9% – a jump from 2.3% in 2019, the highest it has been since prior to 2002; as concerns remain about COVID; childcare and working conditions are at the forefront.
• Women, young adults and Black and Hispanics/Latinx workers continue to face higher unemployment rates than the overall State averages.

New Yorkers were buoyed by federal assistance and the Excluded Worker Fund
• Over 4.7M New Yorkers received State unemployment benefits totaling more than $97B. Additionally, Federal funding provided a financial buffer for 1.2M New Yorkers through Pandemic Unemployment Insurance, 600K through Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and 537K through Pandemic Emergency Employment Compensation.
• The newly launched Excluded Worker Fund has provided compensation to thousands of workers who were left out of expanded benefits, with more than $768M paid out in New York City alone.

Government investments have led to growth in new industries including clean energy and cannabis
• While New York saw a 9.6% decline in clean energy sector jobs during the pandemic, it was less than the nationwide loss of 14% and the industry has already rebounded with 5K jobs since August 2020.
• Recent legislation to legalize adult use cannabis is projected to generate upwards of $1.3B and provide 40,000 jobs in cultivation, manufacturing, and retail/dispensaries.

To truly recover, more New Yorkers need skills in demand
• Of the ten largest occupations statewide, accounting for 6.5M jobs, only one occupation requires a high school diploma/equivalency or less, and even at a median pay grade, only four occupations exceed New York’s 2021-2022 Income Guideline poverty level of $49,025.
• Approximately 38.2% (5.22M) of New Yorkers 25 years or older have a high school diploma/equivalency or less and 796K never even entered the 9th grade.
• Of the 24% of New Yorkers who have some college or an Associate Degree, 2.1M New Yorkers, have some college credits but no degree.

The report was developed by NYATEP with data support from Monroe Community College.
A full copy of the report can be viewed here: www.NYATEP.org/StateoftheWorkforce2021

Source: NYATEP

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About New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals
The New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals (NYATEP) is a 501(c)(3) intermediary and membership organization serving the workforce development community throughout New York State. Our focus is ensuring that every New Yorker and employer in New York State has access to the skills they need to work in and support a robust statewide economy. www.nyatep.org or on Twitter @NYATEP

More Than $3 Million in Grant Funding Available through Financial Support Led by Diageo North America and Supported by Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits, and implemented by the National Development Council

Eligible Restaurants Can Receive up to $5,000 to Assist with COVID-19 Safety Measures

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the more than $3 million “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund to assist restaurants in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant funding has been made possible through financial donations led by Diageo North America and supported by Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits (a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits) and will be implemented by the non-profit National Development Council (NDC). The “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” will help eligible restaurants adjust their operations to the impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to New York State’s public health and safety measures during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “The restaurant industry is a critical component of our state’s economy – encompassing hundreds of small businesses who employ thousands of New Yorkers. This industry has been among the hardest hit by the devastating effects of COVID-19, working hard to stay open, serve customers and keep employees safe. This fund is designed to help establishments adapt during this unprecedented time with assistance to sustain their businesses during the winter months to come.” 

 “Raising the Bar” grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment that will allow the business to comply with social distancing guidelines, expand take-out/delivery operations, or accommodate outdoor dining such as plexiglass barriers/partitions, signage promoting social distancing and hygiene protocols, heaters, heat lamps, weatherization upgrades and insulated delivery bags;  improvements that will allow the business to continue operating through the winter months such as filtration system upgrades and food heaters to maintain temperature for to-go orders and purchasing PPE and sanitation supplies necessitated by the pandemic; and COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Qualifying purchases and expenditures must be from September 1, 2020 onwards to be eligible. Initial round of grants are up to $5,000. 

Initial grant funding will be awarded based on the received applications and dispersed independently by NDC, an experienced national economic non-profit that has been in operation since 1969. 

“Diageo is committed to supporting restaurant owners, particularly those in underrepresented communities, who have been disproportionately harmed by COVID-19,” said Debra Crew, President, Diageo North America. “We are honored to serve as a founding contributor of the ‘Raising the Bar’ Restaurant Recovery Fund, providing much needed relief to an important industry that serves as a vital part of the economic engine of local communities. We encourage other organizations and businesses that also call New York ‘home’ to join us in this endeavor to make the impact of the program even stronger.”

“The hospitality industry in New York needs help now more than ever and we are here for them like they’ve always been here for us,” commented Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “The Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund provides an essential lifeline to restaurant owners so they can continue to operate safely, and stay afloat during this critical time. We are proud that our Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits division is working with the State of New York, our valued supplier, Diageo, and the NDC to provide this much needed and urgent financial support.”

“At NDC, we are eager to get moving on this restaurant grant program,” said Dan Marsh, President of National Development Council. “Having worked on numerous loan and grant programs in New York and across the country, what we have seen is that smaller restaurants — especially minority and woman-owned establishments and those in hard-hit neighborhoods — are not getting the help they really need. A tailored grant program specific to this industry is critical.”

Eligible businesses consist of New York State restaurants that have no more than $3 million in 2019​ revenue ​and are engaged in providing food services and meals prepared on-premises to patrons who traditionally order and are served while seated, including certain on-premises food and drinking establishments licensed through the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and which need funding to adjust to COVID-related impacts and protocols. Establishments providing take out or grab and go food services due to COVID-19 restrictions are also eligible to receive the grant from NDC. Additionally, these establishments must have been in operation on or before March 1, 2019 and certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. ​All businesses must continue to comply with the New York Forward reopening guidance and Cluster Action Initiative guidance, as applicable. Restaurants can apply to the “R​aising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” starting Monday, January 11, 2021. For more information visit the ESD website at https://esd.ny.gov/raising-bar-restaurant-recovery-fund.  Applications will begin to be accepted on Jan. 11, 2021.

About Empire State Development  

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.  

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Casamigos, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers.

About NDC

NDC is a national economic development nonprofit that directs capital and financial expertise to local communities, governments, and agencies. NDC supports the development and preservation of affordable housing; creates jobs through small business lending; advances livable communities with social infrastructure investment; and builds capacity through hands-on training and technical assistance in all areas of economic development. Founded in 1969, NDC continues to evolve and innovate to meet the needs of today’s challenges. Find us at ndconline.org @NatlDevCouncil

Press Release: 10/15/2020 from Palisades Center

Palisades Center is partnering with the Rockland Works Career Center to help Center businesses find qualified candidates for their open employment opportunities. Tenants are looking to expand their teams and hire, with permanent and seasonal jobs being added daily. Palisades Center is one of the largest employers in Rockland County, employing 5,000 people with more than 75% of employees living in Rockland County.

The Rockland Works Career Center is Rockland’s one-stop employment and training resource, supporting both employment and training needs of job seekers and the staffing needs of local employers. The Career Center is located at the BOCES Educational Resource Center (BERC) in Nyack, New York. All services are provided free of charge.

“Our tenants have been requesting our help to find qualified employees to fill their open positions,” said Darrin Houseman, General Manager of Palisades Center. “The need is growing now that we are approaching the holiday season. Our partnership with Rockland Works Career Center is a win-win: tenants will be matched with candidates that have the right skills for their open positions and job seekers will be matched with immediate opportunities that meet their interests.”

“Rockland Works is excited to partner with the Palisades Center to contribute to the growth of the Rockland County workforce,” said Stephanie Compasso, Director of Rockland Works Career Center. “Through this timely partnership, we are able to streamline the way employers connect with qualified employees, alleviating the hiring obstacles businesses often face and helping Rockland residents gain employment.”

“This is an invaluable service Palisades Center and Rockland Works Career Center are offering for the tenants,” said Caryn Salomon, Owner of Ily. “Our fashion boutique has been looking for a salesperson for the past several months. The process of trying to find qualified candidates on our own is extremely time consuming while trying to run a business at the same time. This partnership will take that burden away. We are looking forward to getting started!”

“The Palisades Center is a key part of our local economy and it is heartening to see businesses expanding their workforces,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I encourage Rockland residents to check out the list of openings and apply for those that are of interest.”

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said, “I am delighted the Palisades Center has coordinated with the Rockland Works Career Center to assist our community in their efforts at returning to the workforce. With positions available for all types of experience, this is a great opportunity for residents seeking employment.”

There are positions for people with all types of experience, education, and skill levels – from entry-level roles to management positions. Full and part-time available jobs include Managers, Sales Associates, Servers and more. For a full list of openings, visit www.rocklandworks.org.

For information regarding safety measures that Palisades Center is taking to protect visitors and employees from Covid-19, visit www.palisadescenter.com/safety.

Rockland Works is here to help customers develop employability skills before sending you out into the workforce on your own! We know that entering the workforce can be scary. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time, after an extended leave of absence, or if you’ve recently lost long-term employment, we are here to help you navigate the world of work and develop the skills necessary to gain and keep employment.

Our 1-hour workshop sessions cover resume writing, interview skills, and job searching. These workshops allow you to connect with a Career Counselor and get the tips and tricks you need to put your best foot forward and impress employers.

Here is some feedback from our recent workshops!

• I learned how to make my resume stand out!
• The information that was given was helpful and informative.
• This workshop helped me learn how to assess my skills to re-enter the workplace.

To sign up for one of our future workshops, check out our event page!

Greetings Rockland County Residents!

I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Stephanie Compasso and I am the Director of the Rockland Works Career Center. I’m excited to get to know each and every person who comes into our center. I look forward to hearing your stories and providing you with the services that will help you succeed in the workforce!

A little about me:

For the last 5 years, I worked as the the Youth Services Coordinator for “Youth Connections,” a branch of the Career Center that provides work experience, training, and counseling to Out-of-School Youth in Rockland County. It was through this program, that I was able to meet some of the most amazing young adults in Rockland County!

I recently completed my PhD in Family Sciences and Human Development at Montclair State University where I served as a Research Assistant for the Institute for Research on Youth Thriving and Evaluation and an Adjunct Professor, providing mentorship and workforce development training to undergraduate students. Additionally, I served as the inaugural Greg Newton Leadership Fellow with NYATEP.

All of these opportunities have helped ignite a passion within me to help Rockland County residents of ALL backgrounds navigate the confusing (and usually, frustrating) world of work. My office door is always open and my mind is always eager to learn!

In my personal life, I spend my free time hiking and exploring the Hudson Valley with my husband and our pup! I love trying new food and meeting new people, so if you have any great restaurant suggestions, I’m all ears!

I can’t wait to continue to grow within our community and meet new as many new people as possible! Rockland Works Hard!