A.1056 (Bronson)

STAFF CONTACT :

Director, Workforce Development
518.694.4465

BILL

A.1056 (Bronson)

SUBJECT

Establishes a Wage Data Clearinghouse

DATE

Support

The Business Council of New York State strongly supports the State’s commitment to increase funding for, and improve delivery of, workforce development programs. With the State’s increased support for employer-driven workforce development, data collection and analysis are crucial component to a demand driven system. As such, The Business Council supports A.1056 (Bronson) which would establish a wage data clearinghouse to analyze labor market data and seek to identify gaps in workforce development training to meet employer needs.  

Sophisticated data analysis for industry demand would help to inform workforce and education training providers across the state. While many education and workforce development programs have strong partnerships with industry, there are additional opportunities to meet the needs of employers less engaged in the current system. 

Having quality labor market data analysis to advise regional education and workforce development programs across the state could contribute to the development of new training programs where there are workforce shortages. Training and education providers also have a need for wage data, so they are fully informed of industry wages for which they are preparing students. 

Additionally, the State currently spends millions of dollars of State and federal funding on workforce programs but does not examine or publish program outcomes. It is crucial this data be made available to the public so job seekers can have a better understanding of the outcomes of training program they could consider, and so the employer community can identify which training programs are best educating the future workforce. Program outcome data would also help the State prioritize programs for funding that have proven outcomes with strong industry demand. 

Employers who have a need for skilled employee training are looking for programs that can fill their workforce needs today. With tens of thousands of open positions in health care, information technology and advanced manufacturing across the state, many of which require a two-year degree or less, New York State’s employers are looking for the best workforce development programs with proven outcomes.

We would encourage the State to look at best practices in workforce development programs which are industry driven, can get off the ground quickly, and connect trainees directly to employers. 

For too long, many workforce training programs have been informed by anecdotal information. A comprehensive data analytics platform used to inform and empower education institutions with the hard data they need for programming decisions is necessary. 

A major challenge for many businesses across New York State is the inability to find a skilled workforce. As such, The Business Council supports A.1056 (Bronson) which would establish a wage data clearinghouse to analyze labor market data and seek to identify gaps in workforce development training to meet employer needs.