A function of government is to allocate resources to support the preparation of a quality workforce to meet the economic development of the state and nation. Both Secondary and Postsecondary CTE is part of that function. Local CTE educators are encouraged to work with local government and business leaders regarding workforce and economic development initiatives.
Regional Economic Labor Alignments
The Technical Assistance Center of NY used information released or reported by the New York Regional Economic Development Councils and the New York Department of Labor to determine whether CTE programs provided by LEAs and BOCES aligned to the economic needs of their region. CTE TAC created economic zone labor alignments for each of the 10 economic regions in New York state. Each alignment is a chart that is organized around the 16 Career Clusters. The Clusters align to Regional Economic Development Council plans and focus areas as well as New York Department of Labor projections and high-need industries. With this data, LEAs and BOCES can assess the value of the various CTE programs offered to students in terms of finding a good, high-wage, high-need job after completing the program.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
WIOA (Pub. L. 113-128). is landmark legislation designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. Information on the federal legislation is available at the United State Department of Labor.
New York Workforce Development Boards
This work is is coordinated through state and local workforce development boards. Further information on state workforce development can be obtained from the NYS Workforce Investment Board. For more local information, contact the local Workforce Development Board.
NY Regional Economic Development Council Initiative
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources.
NYS Labor Market Data
New York State Department of Labor Employment Projections is and excellent source of data for planning local workforce and career education programs. The site provides short term and long term projections in various occupations for the state and regions.
The National Work Readiness Council
The National Work Readiness Council is engaged in an applied research project with entry level workers and frontline managers, across industry sectors, to create a skills profile and assessment that measures the foundational skills of value creating relationships. The group has developed a National Work Readiness Assessment to measure skills of situational judgment, oral language, reading with understanding and using math to solve problems.