Under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), Congress provided a comprehensive model for workforce investment initiatives and policies that were intended to increase employment, job retention, and the earnings of participants with the overall goal of increasing occupational skill attainment, thus, improving the overall quality of the nation's workforce. In New York, the State Workforce Investment Board serves as the governance body for the workforce development system under WIA and the Department of Labor (DOL) is the agency charged with the administration of the federally appropriated monies under this Act. By providing oversight for the efforts of the State Workforce Investment Board and the Local Workforce Investment Boards throughout the state, DOL has a critical role in ensuring that the policies implemented by the State to supplement the goals of WIA are effectively implemented.

Chapter 284 of the Laws of 2012 requires the Department of Labor to provide guidance to the state's workforce investment boards to enable them to better educate and inform men and women about higher paying jobs and careers, including those traditionally dominated by men. In keeping with the intended goals of WIA, which are inclusive of those individuals employed in civil service positions, implementation of this new law will require collaboration between the Department of Civil Service and the one-stop career service centers administered by the local workforce investment boards across the state.

This hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committees to obtain an overview of the plans under consideration for the implementation of Chapter 284 and also, to consider the trends being observed by the departments in their adoption of other related policies to advance the goal of achieving a more diversified workforce. It is intended that this hearing will provide insight to a number of issues including, but not limited to, an overview of the existing training and development programs available to employers; an understanding of how New York's workforce diversity profile compares to other states; as well as an indication of the efforts and resources needed to bridge the gaps therein.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the existing and proposed practices being used by the New York State Departments of Labor and Civil Service, to improve access to higher paying jobs and careers for men and women are requested to complete and return this reply form no later than Friday, December 14, 2012 to: