Buffalo & Erie County WORKFORCE TRAINING ALLIANCE
The Workforce Training Alliance (WTA) is a collaborative effort among funding agencies in Erie County assisting employers in meeting their employment and training needs, by creating a one-stop shop for employers applying for training funds.
THE ALLIANCE INCLUDES
The Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Investment Board, Inc
The New York State Department of Labor
Erie County
Empire State Development
INCUMBENT
WORKER TRAINING
VERSUS
BUSINESS EXPANSION AND ATTRACTION
There are two
programs available to assist businesses with
training. One program is designed to upgrade the
skills of current employees (incumbent
workers) and one is designed to assist companies
that are expanding their workforce, or creating
a business in our community. Both programs have
different application procedures, so it is
important that you understand the application
procedures for each program.
Incumbent
Worker Training
- The New York
State Department of Labor (DOL) administers a
state-wide
program
called "Advance New York, 25-M".
This program is specifically designed to help
businesses upgrade the skills of their current
workforce. This year $15 million dollars has
been made available to serve the training needs
of New York State businesses. Awards may not
exceed $50K per business and there is no minimum
amount. You can find out
more about the program and apply directly on-line by
visiting:
Workforce New York
The Department of Labor has temporarily stopped
accepting applications under the "Advance New
York, 25-M" program. Please continue to monitor
the Workforce New York web site for updates.
Note: The
Workforce Investment Board office is available
to provide technical assistance related to the
completion of your #25-M application. You
may contact Marie Kaczmarek, David Kaczor, or
Mark Cosgrove at (716)504-1480 for additional
assistance.
Business Expansion and Attraction - Due to
the magnitude of the "Building Skills in New
York State" program, the Workforce Training
Alliance has elected to focus its financial
resources on supporting the training needs of
businesses adding to their workforce and those
creating a new business in our community.
NOTE: Due to
financial constraints the Training Alliance is
not currently accepting applications for funding
under this program.
While this funding option is not currently
available, you may be eligible for other
programs offered through one of our Alliance
partners. If you are unsure as to which program
best meets your need, you are invited to contact
the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce
Development's Business Service Division. They
can be reached at (716) 891-WORK, or by email at
info@wdcinc.org.
PARTNER PROGRAM
INFORMATION
The Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
The WIB oversees federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding in Erie County. In this role the WIB is responsible for coordinating workforce investment activities with economic development strategies and developing employer linkages. WIA funding can be used to provide employers with assistance for on-the-job training and/or customized training:
On-the-Job Training - On-the-job training is provided under a contract with an employer through which occupational training is provided to the employee, in exchange for the reimbursement of up to 50% of the wage rate to compensate for the employer's extraordinary costs. The OJT contract is limited to the period of time required for the employee to become proficient in the occupation for which training is being provided.
Customized Training - Customized training is training designed to meet the special requirements of an employer (including a group of employers). This training is conducted with a commitment by the employer to employ, or in the case of incumbent workers, continue to employ, an individual upon successful completion of the training. Employers are required to pay for not less than 50% of the cost of training.
Individuals eligible to receive WIA funding must be either unemployed prior to the training or employed at $25 per hour or less and must receive a skills assessment that indicates training is necessary for the individual to obtain or retain employment.
Note: If your proposal is approved for WIA funding, you will be assigned
a Business Service Specialist who will assist you with every phase of
your project. As a contract condition, you will be required to list all
your project vacancies with our One Stop Career Centers. These centers
will refer eligible applicants to your attention for hiring
consideration.
Individuals hired prior to the approval of a funding
request, or not referred through a One Stop Center, will be deemed
ineligible under this program. If you have any questions in regard to
funding requirement, we suggest you contact the Buffalo and Erie County
Workforce Investment Board representative listed below.
New York State Department of Labor
New York State Department of Labor has funds available to businesses that are facing potential job loss. This assistance may be used to implement alternative measures to prevent layoffs or closings and may include but is not limited to:
Layoff Aversion Program
- Determination of the skills gap of the employees to decide if Incumbent Worker Training/Skills Upgrade Training / Customized Training / On-the-Job Training or other retraining programs for the company's workers may enable retention of workers in other company production lines or facilities
- Employee stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)
- Shared Work Program
- Assistance options that may be available through appropriate economic development organizations
Erie County
Through the Economic Development Division of the Department of Environment and Planning, Erie County can provide workforce training assistance to expanding employers in conjunction with the Workforce Investment Board, Inc. This assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis, within the budgetary constraints of the County, and subject to the approval of the Erie County Legislature.
Empire State Development
Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Labor jointly administer the Strategic Training Alliance Program (STRAP) in Western New York. STRAP was created as part of Governor Pataki's Jobs 2000 legislation to identify and address employer demands for skilled workers. The program seeks to fund projects that are structured to solve common workforce problems by:
- addressing identified skilled worker shortages within an industry or within a single employer's establishment.
- promoting skills upgrading for incumbent workers, particularly upgrading skills for high technology jobs, and;
- ensuring New York State's employers can be provided with a skilled and qualified workforce to meet their business needs.
STRAP is a state funded effort to support employer strategies and local efforts for lifelong learning for the development of the incumbent worker. Incumbent worker training increases productivity and the competitiveness of our employer community and should be viewed as an economic development tool.
PARTNER CONTACT INFORMATION
Buffalo & Erie County
Workforce Investment Board
Mark Cosgrove (716) 504-1480
cosgrove@becwib.org
NYS Department of Labor
Carolyn Bright (716) 851-2753
Empire State Development
Marguerite Greco (716) 856-8111
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