In its mission statement, the Emerging Worker Sub-Committee of the New York State Workforce Investment Board has made a commitment to "ensure that all New York’s youth are better prepared for employment...by exposing them to a greater array of potential career opportunities, including current demand occupations."

In response, the New York State Department of Labor will be issuing two new Requests for Proposals to enhance and expand programs for youth.

1. Incentive Grants for Employers
   • Purpose: Approximately $2.5 million will be made available to businesses to establish or expand innovative programs with local educational institutions and local Workforce Investment Boards that expose youth to current or anticipated demand occupations in New York State or experiences that will lead to gainful employment.
   • Eligible applicants: Businesses, business associations, or business consortia in partnership with local educational institutions and Workforce Investment Boards and Youth Councils.
   • Eligible activities: The following activities could be supported by these grant funds:
     • Costs associated with program development
     • Workplace orientations and training for youth and/or school personnel e.g., exposing guidance counselors to requirements of current demand occupations
     • Paid or unpaid internships at local businesses
     • Job coaching, adult mentoring and job shadowing
     • Employment-related support services
     • Paid work experiences

2. Challenge Grants to local Workforce Investment Boards
   • Purpose: Approximately $2.5 million will be provided for system-building initiatives that go beyond the statutory requirements of WIA to establish or expand innovative summer youth programs supported by multiple funding streams as an integrated component of effective year-round programs for youth. The intent is to pilot and document effective models that can be disseminated and replicated with expanded funding.
   • Eligible applicants: Local Workforce Investment Boards that have established or propose to establish comprehensive partnerships that go beyond the mandated youth requirements of WIA, and include employers and employer associations; schools; BOCES; postsecondary institutions; youth develop agencies; cultural institutions; or other community organizations. Only one application may be submitted for each local workforce investment area.
   • Eligible activities: The following activities could be supported by these grant funds:
     
     • An effective year-round collaborative program for all youth that goes beyond the statutory youth requirements of WIA, leverages and links multiple funding streams and services, and exposes all youth to high demand occupations and careers in New York State during the summer as an integral component of a year-round program.
     • Comprehensive use of career planning and career exploration.
     • Expanded youth employment opportunities, particularly in high demand occupations.

This web-site will provide information the application process and bidders conferences as details become available.