The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) is the recipient of three new grants—two from the U.S. Department of Labor and one from the New York State Department of Labor. While each grant has different eligibility criteria, they all share the overarching goal of building the local workforce to meet the demands of high-growth employment sectors and assisting individuals, particularly those with barriers to employment, in building skills and gaining credentials that will lead to re-entry and long-term employment.
“The WPWDB, through the implementation of these new grants, existing grants, and county funding, is helping to fuel the local economy,” said George Latimer, Westchester County Executive. “An economy is driven by the workforce and training and educating the local workforce will help propel Westchester and Putnam counties. Additionally, the Board’s work with the counties’ most vulnerable populations is critical to getting the long-term unemployed back to work.”
Unemployed Worker Training Program: This first grant seeks to prepare eligible individuals for jobs as Certified Nursing Assistants and Patient Care Technicians. Eligibility is focused on long-term unemployed individuals, those who are TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligible or have been formerly incarcerated.
Trade and Economic Transition Dislocated Worker Grant: This second grant seeks to transform the local economy by providing job readiness and vocation training for healthcare, high tech manufacturing, and information technology sectors. All categories of Dislocated Workers are eligible for this grant.
The National Health Emergency Phase Two: Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant: This third grant seeks to address the opioid crises by providing funds for employment and training activities and supportive services to address economic and workforce impacts related to opioid use, addiction, and overdose. The grant also seeks to encourage individuals to enter professions that could provide relief to those affected by the crisis: mental healthcare, addiction treatment services, and pain management services.
“We are very excited to have been awarded three new grants in recent months,” said Thom Kleiner, WPWDB Director. “These grants will help us continue our mission to educate and train individuals so one day they can gain sustainable, fulfilling employment.”
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