The Emerging Worker Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, January 17, 2002 in Albany. The following are highlights from that meeting.

1. Update on Incentive and Challenge Grants. Dan Moser from NYS DOL updated the Sub-Committee on the status of the two grants, which were developed from concept papers prepared by the Sub-Committee.
   • Incentive Grants to Expand Business Involvement in Youth Programs: The request-for-proposals (RFP) was released November 8, 2001 with 21 applications received by the January 16, 2002 deadline. The applicants represent geographically diverse areas across the state. $2.5 million is available through the RFP and no cap was set on the amount for any application. Arrangements have been made to seek additional funds should the total amount of budgets for the approved applicants exceed this amount. The RFP was posted on DOL's website: www.wdsny.org along with 62 questions and answers. Staff from three agencies (DOL, SED, and OCFS) will review the proposal. The tentative award date is February 27, 2002.

   • Challenge Grants to Expand Year-Round Programs for Youth and Integrate Youth Programs into One-Stop Delivery Systems (comprehensive year-round system building): The request-for-proposals will be released the beginning of February with possible awards announced in April 2002. It will be a competitive process with approximately ten to thirteen awards distributed. Applicants must meet DOL criteria and must have applied to DOL for state certification of their local one-stops. Up to $2.5 million will be made available to authorized Title I B Local Grant Recipients. Awards will be capped at $300,000 or 25% of a local area's PY 2001 youth allocation, whichever is lower. New York City is eligible to receive an award of up to $500,000. A draft has been approved by the three agencies and is undergoing a final review within DOL before release.

2. Presentation by Katherine Loucks, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development from Empire State Development (ESD), on ESD initiatives to support WIA activities for emerging workers.
   • ESD's primary focus is incumbent workers but they are also addressing emerging worker since the career ladder opportunities for incumbent workers is dependent on trained emerging workers entering the workforce at the entry-level positions.
     
   • ESD purpose is to expand current and bring new businesses to NYS as well as provide businesses with qualified workers.
     
   • Work with ESD regional offices to disseminate information regarding workforce development. Also meets with business one-on-one regarding attractions and expansion in New York State.
     
   • Cynthia Shannon is ESD's liaison with the LWIBs and the 10 regional ESD office staff who sit on LWIBs.
     
   • ESD will host High Tech job fairs at two ski resorts and invite local college students to participate and meet employers.
     
   • ESD has a policy brief that recommends how they can assist the economy. Also has a regional job outlook brief.
     
   • ESD has a strong focus on small business. Small businesses employ the majority of workers in NYS and therefore, need to be aware of the Emerging Worker Subcommittee initiatives.

3. Final discussion and approval of Statewide Initiatives to be sponsored by the Sub-Committee Over the Next Two Years. The Sub-Committee extensively discussed statewide initiatives around two focus areas prepared by staff to the Sub-Committee:
   1. Expanding/enhancing business involvement in youth programs. and
      
   2. Supporting comprehensive year-round programs.
      
      • The Sub-Committee reviewed the latest draft, suggested some changes and approved Statewide Initiatives to be reported to the SWIB that afternoon.

4. Next Meeting: March 20, 2002, 1:30-4:00, Rochester. Wegman's will present information on their youth initiatives.

5. Report to State Workforce Investment Board: Staff edited the report to the State Workforce Investment Board, and it was presented to the SWIB the afternoon of January 17, 2002.

6. Next Steps:
   
   • Staff from the three agencies will provide information on funding and programs.
     
   • On-going follow-up and technical assistance will be provided for grant recipients to ensure that they achieve stated outcomes.
     
   • Regular two-way communication should be established with the Local Workforce Investment Boards/Youth Councils.
     
   • The Subcommittee should make recommendations specific to youth and the reauthorization of WIA.

Attachment:   Report to the State Workforce Investment Board