EFG Interview: The Workforce Development Institute in New York
By Ayla Kanber, Earth Forward Group
Earth Forward Group had the opportunity to interview two members of the Workforce Development Institute — Lisa Futterman and Kaubin Neupane — to learn more about how workforce development can connect job seekers to high quality, high demand, long-lasting careers.
What is workforce development?
The basic task of Workforce development is to match the supply (workers and job seekers) with the demand (employers) of labor. For it to be successful, the workforce development process must offer opportunities for win-win collaborations between workers and employers, understand both employee and employer needs and leverage available resources — including funding, research, outreach, advocacy, support, etc. — to help each reach their short-term and long-term goals.
The public workforce system comprises departments of labor, career centers, workforce boards, labor unions, educational providers, and a network of partner organizations, which offer job searches, preparation, training and placement into positions and allows employers to find qualified workers.
What does the Workforce Development Institute do?
The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) is a New York statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen New York’s workforce. Over the last two decades, WDI has utilized ground-level information, labor market data, workforce expertise, and flexible funding to facilitate projects that build workforce skills and strengthen employers’ ability to hire, promote, and retain workers. WDI helps to fill employment gaps not often covered by other organizations, which is accomplished through partnerships and collaborations with labor unions, businesses, other non-profits, educational institutions, and government.
WDI works with many occupational families and industry sectors, but focuses on support for labor unions, the manufacturing sector, the renewable energy sector, and workforce support. In select counties, WDI also administers a child care subsidy facilitated enrollment program supported by the New York State Legislature, which helps cover the cost of childcare for working families so that they can remain and advance in the workforce.
What are some of the challenges you face in advancing workforce development?
Based on workforce studies, our experience, and ground-level intelligence gathered from our regional and statewide staff, we have identified several distinct but interrelated challenges and opportunities in workforce development. Job quality, attracting young workers, enhancing new skills with emerging technologies, and widening access to apprenticeship programs are top of mind. Perhaps more importantly, we must deliberately work to advance workforce development, adhering to the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Challenge #1 — Elevating Job Quality as a Top Priority in Workforce and Economic Development
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that job quality must be more fully integrated into workforce and economic development strategies and programs. For us to fortify the safety net for all workers, to achieve real and equitable economic empowerment, and empower businesses to reach their potential through shared prosperity, we must recognize that work does not work for all. Workforce development cannot simply be a set of resources aimed at addressing the “skills gap.” The systems and organizations that serve workers and employers must broaden their view and spend equal time on both demand and supply issues.
Research from organizations like the Aspen Institute, the Urban League, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, and the Good Jobs Institute help define the concept of a “good job” by organizing job quality models, integrating equitable approaches, and translating them into practical, meaningful solutions. When it comes to the things we most commonly associate with good jobs — family-sustaining wages, benefits, safety standards, regular schedules, representation for workers, and opportunities for advancement, the American labor movement has led the way for generations. In alignment with the labor movement and to elevate existing pro-worker policies, Climate Jobs NY and the Center for American Progress have organized job quality recommendations specifically for green jobs.
Challenge #2: Attracting Millennials and Generation-Z to Trade Careers
One of the major challenges in workforce development is attracting young workers in trade like electricians, plumbers, boilermakers, carpenters, equipment operators, landscapers, mechanics, etc. Young workers aged 16–24 are reluctant to choose trade occupations as career choices for several reasons including negative stigma attached to trade jobs as “working-class” or unstable occupations, emphasis on four-year college degrees, and lack of information about how trade jobs can become viable career options.
To bridge this information gap, employers are holding information sessions and career fairs at high schools and community colleges. To address the stigma, school counselors are providing information about trade jobs as realistic alternatives to four-year college to both students and their parents. WDI is also trying to address these issues through awareness campaigns focused on ensuring that the next generation is aware of the different pathways to successful careers.
Challenge #3: Future Workforce Skills
As technology advances, future jobs will require a higher level of skills. Studies show that the traditional model of education to employment to career is no longer sufficient to meet the demand for skilled workforce in the future. Rather, the future workforce will require close collaboration between employers, educators and employees. One of the major challenges is to advance workforce development is to provide a platform where these stakeholders can forge innovative partnerships to solve future problems.To combat this challenge, WDI’s Future Skills Exchange (FSX) has developed a platform to connect New Yorkers seeking courses, apprenticeships, credentials and assessments directly to the education and training providers that deliver them.
Challenge #4: Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerabilities of the labor market, as many workers were disproportionately affected based on race, gender, lack of economic opportunities, or other factors due to inherent inequalities in the market. We have also observed significant income disparities against these workers. To proactively close these gaps, WDI is funding programs to increase gender diversity and provide language and skills training — especially to members of disadvantaged communities. WDI also runs the Child Care Subsidy Facilitated Enrollment Program (CCSFEP) to provide childcare subsidies to working families.
According to Brittany Buffum, the Director of Workforce Support at the WDI, “The CCSFEP works strategically to reduce the hardship gap that families face when their wages are too high to qualify for public assistance programs, but do not earn enough to make ends meet. The goal of the WDI CCSFEP is to provide stability for working families through equitable access to quality, affordable childcare.”
Challenge #5: Access to Pre-apprenticeships and Apprenticeships
One opportunity that is available to all workers that addresses most of the challenges in advancing workforce development is apprenticeship. These “earn while you learn” programs are demand-driven and lead to good jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits. In addition, pre-apprenticeship programs prepare workers for entry into apprenticeship programs and help workers explore career opportunities in different industries.
WDI collaborates with the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council on the Statewide Pre-Apprenticeship Program, designed to advance opportunities for entry-level workers through apprenticeship readiness education and training especially for underserved populations. Resources like the NY Department of Labor Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Finder, and the Future Skills Exchange provide tools to learn about specific trades and apply it toward new careers.
How does the Workforce Development Institute work toward socioeconomic development and equity?
WDI has deep roots in the labor movement to ensure our work prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion. For example, WDI partners with the New York State Building and Construction Trades to offer pre-apprenticeship programs in Rochester, Buffalo and on Long Island with two goals in mind: skills development and social equity. This program provides high-wage opportunities for individuals to gain skills and lifelong careers, and serves as a mechanism to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to a sector that has not traditionally seen diversity in many parts of the state.
WDI has also collaborated with the New York State School of Industrial & Labor Relations at Cornell University to form the Cannabis Workforce Initiative to promote and support social equity in the adult-use cannabis market by providing quality workforce development and legal education. We believe that the New York State’s legalization of cannabis will create a wide range of opportunities not only for workforce development but also for social equity. Prioritizing opportunities for those harmed by the prohibition of cannabis, we are engaging with partners from a variety of areas to inform and guide the work of the Cannabis Workforce Initiative. Community-based, reentry, and workforce development organizations complement our connections to labor unions, government, industry, and educators to make sure our approach is collaborative and practical.
Additionally, WDI has collaborated with the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) to develop a baseline through the Statewide Workforce Equity Analysis Tool (SWEAT) that quantifies the diversity, equity and inclusion gaps to provide a better understanding of how to address the inequities that the workforce system internally perpetuates.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis have presented new challenges for both employees and employers. At WDI, we understand that jobs and opportunities that emerge after economic crises may not directly cater to the historically underserved communities. We have also learned from the past that a strong stock market does not equate to strong wages, or an equal share of the market growth. Therefore, we deliberately work towards ensuring that investments in people and businesses include improved growth opportunities for everyone.
Does the Workforce Development Institute work in the overarching “green jobs industry”? If so, how important is it to focus on workforce development in these fields?
WDI has long been committed to supporting New York’s workforce development transition in the clean, green, and renewable energy industries while advancing social equity.
Passed into law in 2019, New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) is the defining statewide framework for how New York will protect its natural and built environment, prepare energy infrastructure, and uplift workforce while addressing the climate crisis. CLCPA should be considered a major milestone and its many parents must be congratulated, however these goals cannot be achieved without well-trained and highly skilled workforce, and a pipeline of next generation workers. Not only do we need a transition, we need a just transition if we are going to make climate action inclusive, viable and attractive for all.
According to a Jobs Study by the Just Transition Working Group (JTWG) of the Climate Action Council (formed under the CLCPA), employment in the electricity and building sectors will significantly increase, especially in construction and manufacturing industries. However, it is important not to lose focus on the workers from disadvantaged communities. The CLCPA requires New York State agencies, authorities, and entities to invest and/or allocate resources in a way that disadvantaged communities receive 35 to 40 percent of the overall benefits of spending on clean energy and energy efficiency projects or investments.
One of the fundamental objectives of the Climate Act is to ensure that New York’s transition to a green economy benefits the underserved communities. The good news is that an opportunity lies before us. With thoughtful and deliberate action, we can ensure that those securing our future against the climate crisis can also secure their family’s future with good wages, safety standards, opportunity for advancement, health care and retirement benefits, access to quality childcare, and everything workers should be able to take for granted in the 21st century. We can ensure that the green jobs of today and tomorrow, along with the promise of prosperity they offer, are accessible to all.
The JWTG in New York’s Draft Climate Scoping Plan lists WDI as one of the key stakeholders to support displaced workers from fossil-based industries and to improve access to pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for the members of disadvantaged communities. WDI works in partnership with government agencies, labor unions, businesses, workforce development boards and community-based organizations to assess the needs of the New York workforce in transition to clean energy. Based on these needs, we provide training and other necessary support. WDI regularly works with supply chain coalitions and unions to help build a domestic, union-made supply chain with high-road economic development.
By prioritizing worker empowerment, equity, and inclusion, as called for in the CLCPA, we will be able to attract and retain the quantity and quality of workers necessary to achieve our energy and climate goals.
Meet the Interviewees
Lisa Futterman
Lisa Futterman is the Regional Director for New York City and has over 15 years of experience in workforce development. Prior to joining WDI in 2015, Lisa spent nine years with the Federal Employment & Guidance Service (FEGS) Health and Human Services to create innovative workforce training programs connecting a range of job seekers with employment. Earlier in her career, she taught children with severe disabilities and was a child protection caseworker for the City of New York. She also serves as a member of the New York City Regional Economic Development Council and chairs the Workforce Development Work Group. At WDI, Lisa works with businesses, unions, government, education, and community-based organizations on projects that support workforce and economic development.
Kaubin Neupane
Kaubin Neupane is a research consultant at the WDI’s Energy & Climate program. His work involves tracking energy policy, sector trends, and emerging technologies to provide government agencies, unions, businesses, workforce development boards, and community-based organizations with information related to workforce trends and potential workforce impacts of these policies, trends, and technologies. Kaubin is a PhD candidate at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at SUNY Albany.
Click here to learn more about the Workforce Development Institute.
