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Workforce Development for Employers: Talent 101
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ASSOCIATION (WCA)
The WCA focuses on talent recruitment and retention, says Jason Chapin, the organization’s director of workforce development. He suggests employers start with the many job boards available:
• NY Hire Now: nyhirenow.usnlx.com • Nonprofit Westchester:
nonprofitwestchester.mcjobboard.
net/jobs
• Council of Industry (advanced manufacturing jobs): careers. councilofindustry.org/jobs
• Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board job board: www.westchesterputnamonestop. com/2021-11-23-2-18/local-jobs-board
“I also recommend Indeed.com, LinkedIn, employer websites, and college career centers for job listings,” Chapin says.
WCA’s Employer Resource Guide includes information for employers looking for talent, tax credits, hiring incentives, and more: www.westchester.org/employerguide.
FUTURE SKILLS EXCHANGE/WDI
The Future Skills Exchange (FSX)
is a free web-based marketplace
that connects New Yorkers who seek courses, certifications, apprenticeships and credentials directly to the education and training providers who deliver them. The platform focuses on education and training options for working learners to develop skills, acquire real-world job experience, and evaluate options to prove their skills to current and future employers. FSX was developed by the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a statewide nonprofit that works to
grow and keep good jobs in the state, in partnership with Innovate + Educate. Find the site at www.futureskillsx.org.
“We do have a worker shortage,
and the issue as we see it is to
build pipelines to jobs, especially in emerging industries like green tech, wind, and solar,” says Deryl Beasley, WDI’s regional director for the Lower Hudson Valley. New cannabis legislation will also create a new need for about
50,000 workers. “We solve workforce development problems and provide grants to help give workers new skills and support worker training,” he says.
Below: WCA hosts several workforce- development events each year, including career fairs and an Annual Regional Workforce Summit (below). Pictured are, left to right: Dr. Penny Jennings, vice president
of strategic programs and partnerships at Greyston; Christopher White, acting deputy commissioner of workforce development, New York State Dept. of Labor; Jason Chapin, WCA director of workforce development; Hope Knight, Empire State Development president and CEO-designate; Timothy L. Hall, president of Mercy College; Teresita
B. Wisell, SUNY Westchester Community College vice president of workforce development and community education; George Latimer, Westchester County Executive; Susan Fox, WCA board chair; Michael N. Romita, WCA president and CEO.
© Courtesy of WCA
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