Page 31 - SKILLS Workforce Development Guide 2021

HOW IS OED GOING TO SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?
Our top priority is to implement our Sector-Based Economic Development Strategy. We analyzed Westchester’s economic landscape and distilled our findings into a long-term strategy that will enable us to have the biggest possible impact. We’ll be focusing on four key sectors: Biosciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Fintech (Financial Technology) and Clean Energy.
WHY WERE THESE SPECIFIC SECTORS CHOSEN?
These sectors offer well-paying jobs and represent a good match with the highly educated workforce here in the County. These sectors also showed resilience in the face of COVID-19. In fact, in the cases of Bioscience and Advanced Manufacturing, some of the businesses were integral to Westchester’s response to the pandemic.
WHAT ARE THE INITIAL STEPS OED IS TAKING?
We are establishing sector-specific task forces with representation from businesses within the sector, the Business Council of Westchester, and the Westchester County Association, as well as workforce development experts, representatives from higher education, and others.
IN WHAT WAYS WILL THESE INDIVIDUALS LEND THEIR EXPERTISE?
We’re creating distinct “Industry Desks” for each sector, and we’ll lean on task force members to be the brain trust to help us advise companies in Westchester looking to grow, or those seeking to move their business to Westchester.
WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE?
We are establishing working groups within the task forces to break through barriers and have a laser focus on facilitating growth in these sectors. A primary focus initially will be to tackle workforce issues, but we’ll also work on solutions related to financing/funding, supply chain, land use and regulatory issues, as well as any other priorities for the businesses in the sectors.
SPOTLIGHT: INDUSTRY DESKS
Employers looking to grow in or relocate to Westchester will benefit
from our highly educated workforce, desirable quality of life, and proximity to the NYC metro region. OED’s Industry Desks are designed to build on and enhance those existing advantages.
THE INDUSTRY DESKS’ OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:
•Offer a one-stop interface that can help businesses navigate government processes and provide support services, information, and other resources
•Promote the industry sector in Westchester County, and promote the County as an optimal location
•Forge strong relationships with business leaders to identify needs and challenges
•Cultivate and manage a network of local stakeholders that can provide support and technical services, mentorship, workforce needs, real estate, financing, and more
•Determine the skills needed for employment opportunities within the sector, and the curriculum/training needed to deepen the talent pipeline
BIOSCIENCE:
Learn more about the Industry Desk at westchestercatalyst.com/biosciences. Contact the Industry Desk at biosciences@westchestergov.com.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING:
Learn more about the Industry Desk at westchestercatalyst.com/advanced-manufacturing. Contact the Industry Desk at advancedmanufacturing@westchestergov.com.
FINTECH:
Contact the Industry Desk at fintech@westchestergov.com. CLEAN ENERGY:
Contact the Industry Desk at cleanenergy@westchestergov.com.
SPOTLIGHT: INDUSTRY TASK FORCES
To support the Industry Desks and keep the OED up to date on trends and issues within the regional ecosystem, the County is establishing task
forces for each of the four key sectors.
THE TASK FORCES’ GOALS INCLUDE:
•Enhance awareness of the industry and its participants •Promote collaboration within the industry
•Highlight the work being done by Westchester companies and
assist with connections/partnerships
•Help new entrants to the industry
•Promote local centers of excellence, i.e. areas of expertise where
the County has real depth
•Stay up to date on trends in the industry and the needs of its
participants, so that strategic action can be taken in response
Meet the members of the Bioscience Task Force at westchestercatalyst.com/work/biosciences-taskforce.
Meet the members of the Advanced Manufacturing Task Force at westchestercatalyst.com/work/advanced-manufacturing-taskforce.
For updated information about other sector task forces, check
westchestercatalyst.com/work.
OED is in the process of rolling out pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for the advanced manufacturing industry. Go to westchestercatalyst.com/work
for more detailed information as it’s announced.