Westchester Insider: Westchester County: WPWDB to Hold 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting on September 29.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             

 

WPWDB to Hold 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting on Sept. 29th

Using Data to Connect the Dots —

A Panel Discussion of 2022 Survey Results of Employers and Job Seekers to

Pinpoint Trends and Plan for the Future

 

White Plains, NY – 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 (WPWDB) 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

 

This year’s meeting will feature a presentation and panel discussion around: Using Data to Connect the Dots. The program will feature Chris White, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, NYS Department of Labor. White will present and highlight the data points from the 2022 job seeker and employer survey. In total, 3,700 unique businesses responded to the survey, representing 16,150 business locations that employ nearly 540,000 workers (representing a median of 32 full or part-time individuals per business).  8,000 job seekers also responded to the survey.

 

Use the links below to review the survey results:

Job Seeker 2022 survey results > / Business 2022 survey results > 

 

The survey revealed that 49% of businesses said that the lack of qualified candidates is the biggest obstacle to filling positions in 2022, about the same percentage as last year, but 42% said compensation was a barrier in 2022 while only 9% indicated it was a barrier in 2021.  Forty percent of Job seekers, said they didn’t have the right degree, certificate, or credentials to obtain the job they wanted; another 33% said they had insufficient education or training to secure employment.

 

“We need to use the hard data to understand what’s really happening in the real world, not just assume we know why employers are having trouble filling positions and why many job seekers, at the same time, are still finding it tough to find work. We must educate our partners and work to strengthen the partnerships between business, education, and service providers within the Career Center Network to fill the gaps that are clearly demonstrated by these surveys,” stated Thom Kleiner, WPWDB Executive Director.

 

“Workforce development can’t thrive on its own. We need to continue to build relationships between our economic development advocates and those working every day to enhance the workforce. The data presented at the WPWDB annual meeting, and the distinguished panel of experts the WPWDB has brought together to discuss the findings, will be especially helpful in achieving that goal,” adds Westchester County CE, George Latimer.

 

“Workforce professionals, educational institutions and business leaders need to work closely together to share and analyze available data to get the most out of our workforce and maximize the opportunities to link with businesses in need new employees. The WPWDB annual meeting is a great opportunity for key stakeholders to continue that process,” said Putnam County CE, MaryEllen Odell.

 

After the survey presentation, the panel will discuss how the data relates to local stakeholders, the insights and trends they’ve identified from an employer/educator/job seeker/student perspective and how they intend to use the information to strengthen the workforce.

 

Panelists include:

• Dr. Belinda Miles; President, Westchester Community College

• Dr. Marvin Krislov; President, Pace University

• Dr. Marsha Gordon, BCW Executive Director

• Michael Romita, WCA, Executive Director

 

Registration: This event will take place virtually using video conferencing technology. Anyone wishing to attend must pre-register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wpwdb-2022-virtual-annual-meeting-tickets-403091807447  Instructions on how to log on and participate will be sent in advance of the meeting date.

 

THE WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WPWDB) is comprised of leaders and staff of state and county government agencies, non-profits, public education, and the private sector who work together to strengthen the partnerships between business, education, and service providers within the “Career Center Network” to meet the needs for a skilled workforce. The WPWDB pursues funding opportunities and develops model programs and leading-edge practices. The “Network” is made up of four Career Centers (White Plains, Mount Vernon, Peekskill, and Carmel) as well as partner agencies that provide state-of-the-art technology, training, resources, and services to youth, adults and employers. For more information, visit www.westchesterputnamonestop.com.