When we talk about the workforce in New York, we often assume we are talking about the same thing. We are not. Ask ten people what “workforce” means and you will hear ten different answers. Some of us mean training programs. Others mean job placement, compliance, or economic development goals.

Nobody wakes up wanting the workforce system to fail. Most of us who work in or around it are trying to do the right thing. Employers want to hire. Job seekers want real work. Providers want to help people move forward. The effort is there. But when employers across New

Most workforce programs in New York start with energy and good intentions. Agencies set goals, nonprofits create programs, and funders provide money. The goal is always the same: stable, well-paying jobs for New Yorkers.  Yet months later, the results often fall short. Reports may show high placement numbers, but many

New York has plenty of workforce programs. The problem is that the system around them does not guide people into real jobs. Every year, new training initiatives launch across the state with good intentions and solid curriculum, yet employers still struggle to find workers and job seekers still struggle to