WPWDB Seeking Volunteers for 2021 Free Tax Prep Program
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The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) is looking for people of all professional backgrounds and experience levels to help administer its popular Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The program, which will run from Feb. 15 - April 30, 2021, will help low- and moderate-income individuals and families eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) file their taxes and maximize their returns.
Virtual VITA Volunteer Appreciation Held on Dec. 4
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The Westchester-Putnam Career Center Network held its annual VITA Volunteer Recognition virtually on Dec. 4, 2020. Fifty-four volunteers were honored with certificates from Westchester County and the IRS. “The VITA program would not be possible without the dedicated support of our volunteers,” stated DSS Commissioner Kevin McGuire. “People work hard and we want families to get back every dollar they are entitled to by law.”
Free Online Courses and Certificate Programs Available for New Yorkers on Coursera
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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launch of a new online training platform which will enable unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers weathering the COVID-19 pandemic to learn new skills, earn certificates, and advance their careers at no cost. The new tool will provide access to nearly 4,000 online programs taught by leading professors and industry professionals on Coursera, with a focus on high-growth and in-demand sectors like advanced manufacturing, technology, and health care, among others.
WPWDB Launches “Experience Works” Program to Help Businesses Hire or Rehire Staff
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The WPWDB has received CARES Act funding to assist employers in hiring new staff or bringing back laid off staff through its “EXPERIENCE WORKS” Program. This program provides paid employment to each participant from the agreement activation date until Dec. 30, 2020.
Virtual Youth Town Hall Series Kicks off in New Rochelle
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Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB), in association with area youth service agencies, is hosting a series of Virtual Youth Town Halls—forums for questions, ideas, and opinions voiced by and for youth of Westchester and Putnam counties. The Youth Town Halls put young adults front and center, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and opinions and facilitate discussions on topics of their choosing, including the current political climate, career options, job training, college prep, internships opportunities, culture shifts, inspirational stories, and their overall future outlook at a time of massive unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Grant Helps Youth and Young Adults Explore Healthcare Career Pathway Opportunities
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The Westchester-Putnam Career Center Network (WPCCN) and Westchester Community College (WCC) are actively recruiting men and women, 18 to 25 years of age, who reside in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Yonkers, NY who are interested in exploring careers in healthcare with free training. Eligible participants will receive:
2020 Annual Meeting Panel Discussion Focused on Reimagining Workforce Strategies
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The Westchester Putnam Workforce Development Board held its 2020 Annual Meeting as a live webinar on June 25, 2020.
WPWDB to Hold 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting
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County Executives George Latimer of Westchester and MaryEllen Odell of Putnam invite businesses, partner agencies, community organizations, and educational leaders to participate in the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board’s 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 9 - 10 a.m.
Career Centers Closed, But Staff is Working. Additional Updates Provided.
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Updated March 25, 2020
All four Career Centers are closed to the public, but Career Centers staff is working. On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order mandating that 100 percent of employees, with some exceptions, work from home. Therefore all four Westchester-Putnam Career Centers are closed to the public until further notice.
Paul Grenci Joins WPWDB
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Paul Grenci joined the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) in October 2019. He is currently the CEO at Red Key Solutions, an Information Technology firm based in White Plains, New York which has been in continuous operation since 2002.
VITA/EITC Free Tax Prep Program Holds Launch Event
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On Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) kicked off the “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” (VITA) Program at the Mount Vernon Career Center located at 130 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY.
Computer Classes Cancelled
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White Plains Career Center has cancelled selected computer workshop classes until further notice.
Cancelled: Computer classes held Mondays to Thursdays with Stella Major
Computer classes, scheduled for Mondays through Thursdays are cancelled. For reference, refer to the January 2020 workshop calendar. These classes are taught by Stella Major and relate specificially to MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Free Tax Prep for Working Families and Individuals Making Less than $56,000
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The VITA Free Tax Prep Program is Temporarily Suspended
The VITA Free Tax Prep Program has been suspended in Westchester, NY until April 30th. If the social distancing mandate is lifted, onsite tax prep is planned to resume on May 1st. in the meantime, tax filers who feel comfortable are encouraged to use the tax assisted resource www.myfreetaxes.com. The new filing deadline is July 15, 2020. More information will be posted at the end of April.
GROW Your Business. One Day, New Ideas: Innovation and Disruption
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The annual GROW Your Business conference is Westchester Community College’s signature entrepreneurship event and will be held Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VITA Helps Westchester Residents Prepare Taxes for Free
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Nov. 6, 2019 - The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board is looking for people of all professional backgrounds and experience levels to help administer its popular Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The program, which will run from Feb. 1 to April 15, 2020, will help low- and moderate-income individuals and families eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) file their taxes and maximize their returns.
Exploring Alternative Career Pathways: Expert Panel Discusses Labor Skills Gap, Middle Skills and Soft Skills for Students
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On May 20, an expert panel of educators gathered to discuss alternative career pathways, the labor skills gap, middle skills, and soft skills training. The discussion, held at White Plains High School, was hosted by the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board with Thom Kleiner, Executive Director, moderating. The goal was to illuminate options for mapping sector specific career paths as a viable choice for high school students as well as the significance of teaching and nurturing soft skills. Over 100 school board presidents, superintendents, guidance counselors, employers, and higher education professionals attended the discussion.
Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board’s 8th Annual Youth Summit Helps Youth Test Drive Career Paths
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More than 300 students and business leaders participated in the Eighth Annual Westchester-Putnam Youth Summit on Thursday, April 18, 2019, which took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains. The Youth Summit is a coordinated effort between The Business Council of Westchester, Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board, and Westchester County for young adults between the ages of 16-24.
Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board “Reaching for New Horizons” at 2019 Annual Meeting
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Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell invite businesses, agency partners, community youth organizations, and civic and educational leaders from across all sectors, to participate in Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board’s Annual Meeting on Friday, June 14 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown, NY.
Exploring Alternative Career Pathways Breakfast Panel Scheduled for May 20
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April 30, 2019 — According to the National Skills Coalition, middle-skills jobs, which require education beyond high school but not a four-year degree, make up the largest part of America’s and New York’s labor market. Key industries in New York are unable to find enough sufficiently trained workers to fill these jobs. Demand for middle skills jobs is expected to remain strong through 2024, with 45 percent of job openings falling in this category.
Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board Awarded Three New Grants
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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.
