NYATEP represents every county in New York State,and includes local workforce boards, providers of economic development, union training funds,colleges, literacy, education, job training, and employment service providers.  Collectively, NYATEP members serve over a million New Yorkers each year.

Last week, NYATEP brought all of our voices to Congress when they delivered testimony seeking full funding for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Funding for WIOA, and its predecessor the Workforce Investment Act, declined by 43% in the last 15 years.  NYATEP urged Congress to fully fund WIOA at the level authorized by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

Melinda Mack, Executive Director, underscored the growing skills gap in our country, which necessitates full funding for WIOA.

She stated: The skills gap is real and will continue to grow as the future of work and the skills necessary to have a good job shift.

NYATEP's message is that there is not enough skilled talent to meet the current and future needs of the labor market.

Melinda continued:

The most significant factor contributing to the skills gap, however, is the lack of foundational and technical skills in our talent pool.  In our state 40% of people have a high school diploma or less and many more lack the additional supports like childcare and transportation needed to move out of low-wage work.

We believe that any New Yorker who wants to work or improve their skills to access a better job, should be able to, and these people are the answer to the shortage of workers across the United States.

To view the full testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGRHg-840KE