Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, has joined fellow members of the New York State Senate Task Force on Workforce Development in releasing a report on how the state can help improve employee readiness and strengthen the connection between job-seekers and employers.

The report is the result of findings and recommendations collected via forums held across the state and meetings with leaders in business, labor, public education, higher education and local government, as well as workforce training and development experts.

Ritchie represents the 48th Senate District, which includes all of the northern edge of St. Lawrence County. It extends into Jefferson and Oswego counties.

“The strength of New York’s economy depends on good jobs—and a trained and ready workforce,” Ritchie said.

“This report outlines steps we can take right now to improve employee readiness, better meet workforce needs and strengthen the connections between job-seekers and employers. As I continue my efforts to promote career readiness and create new opportunities for New Yorkers, I am looking forward to working toward implementing the reforms outlined in this report.”

Key recommendations included in the report include:

· Cultivating forward-facing employment data from the State Department of Labor, which will help to highlight areas that will need trained employees in coming years;

· Increasing access to career and tech programs at BOCES;

· Increasing access to continuing adult education programs at BOCES;

· Improving participation in apprenticeships by promoting coordination between guidance counselors and local building trades councils;

· Increasing funding for the Next Generation Job Linkage Program, which fosters connections between community college training programs and local employers, as well as the HIRE Program, which seeks to connect recent SUNY graduates with certificate programs; and

· Establishing new degree or certificate programs based on future regional industry needs.

Release of the report builds on Sen. Ritchie’s prior efforts to promote workforce training and connect employers with job-seekers. Recently, she advocated alongside her colleagues for the inclusion of key funding in the state budget to help achieve these goals, including $20 million in additional funding for Community Colleges—which play a key role in helping young people prepare for careers—$7.9 million for the state’s Workforce Development Institute, $5 million for the New York’s Next Generation Job Linkage Program and $5 million for the SUNY/CUNY Apprentice Initiative.

In addition, Sen. Ritchie has also worked to secure funding benefiting students at local career and technical training schools, including support for culinary, agriculture and other programs. Most recently, Senator Ritchie delivered $200,000 in funding to help launch the new North Country Agricultural Studies Academy, to help train a new generation of young farmers.

Also, since 2012, Senator Ritchie has helped more than 2,200 people throughout our region meet with employers through her annual job fairs.

To read the New York State Senate Task Force on Workforce Development’s full report, visit www.ritchie.nysenate.gov.