Comptroller: “Duplication” in State Workforce Efforts
Blog Categories
June 2, 2022
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released a report assessing the state Department of Labor’s workforce development efforts. The report found significant overlap, duplication, gaps, and fragmentation in state workforce development programs and services.
The audit found that New York offers over 500 workforce development programs and services, administered by 22 state agencies and authorities. DiNapoli said that the vastness of the system, combined with the “absence of a functioning” workforce investment board, the state “may not be adequately considering the needs of job seekers and employers,” rendering the state “inadequately positioned to address the State’s workforce needs.”
The ability to find and retain qualified talent is the top concern of BNP members.
The Comptroller’s report made several recommendations for improvements, beginning with adequately staffing the state workforce investment board. DiNapoli also recommended that the state take concrete steps to reduce “overlap, duplication, gaps, and/or fragmentation” in workforce development programming.
The BNP was encouraged by provisions in this year’s state budget that give Regional Economic Development Councils a greater ability to oversee and coordinate workforce development efforts within their respective regions. The BNP will continue to advocate for better coordination of workforce development efforts to better serve employers and workers.
Read the Comptroller’s report here.
Related Posts
Where the candidates stand: Key economic issues in the Buffalo mayoral race
On Thursday, May 1, the BNP hosted a Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum. For the first time since 2006, the City of Buffalo is electing a new mayor. The office has drawn considerable interest, leading to a crowded field of candidates running in the June 24 primary election. To help BNP members meet the candidates and learn where they stand on the issues facing our regional economy, the BNP invited the top three fundraising candidates to participate.
Empowering Young Professionals to step into advocacy
How does business advocacy actually work? And why should young professionals take interest?
Those were the driving questions behind Be The Change, a high-energy informational event hosted by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Young Professionals (YP) group. Held at The Establishment, this members-only session gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how business advocacy shapes the regional economy, and how emerging leaders can play a role in that impact.
CEOs Speak: A cautious rise in optimism
At our recent CEOs Speak event—the only forum in Buffalo Niagara showcasing the results from the annual Upstate New York Business Leader Survey—local leaders delivered a powerful message: optimism is cautiously rising, but government intervention remains a persistent obstacle to regional economic growth.
Legislative priorities: BNP’s reaction to the Executive Budget
On February 14, we set the stage for critical discussions about the future of New York State’s economy by convening regional business leaders and policymakers, along with BNP members, at the 1970 Club in KeyBank Center for our Legislative Luncheon.