The CFA WDI was inaugurated in 2019 with a mission to invest $175 million throughout New York State for innovative, creative, and regionally customized workforce development projects. Awards under this program support strategic regional efforts that meet businesses’ short-term workforce needs, address long-term industry needs, improve regional talent pipelines, enhance flexibility and adaptability of local workforce entities, and expand workplace learning opportunities.

The New York State Department of Labor will make up to $25 million available for two programs:

1. Existing Employee Training (EET) Program - Provide occupational skills training, commensurate with regional priorities, to existing employees who are in low and middle-skills occupations leading to job advancement and retention.
2. Unemployed/Underemployed Worker Training (UWT) Program - Provide occupational skills training commensurate with regional priorities to unemployed/underemployed individuals to qualify them for full-time or part-time employment or if currently employed, a higher level of employment.

Link to solicitations: https://dol.ny.gov/funding-opportunities-0.