Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester-Chili-Henrietta) announced that the Assembly’s 2017-18 state budget proposal contains numerous workforce development initiatives he’s continually fought for that will benefit the economy and support workers.

“One of the best ways to lift people out of poverty and boost the middle class is to connect people with good jobs,” Bronson said. “The budget proposal helps bridge a serious skills gap, provides for emerging and expanding workforces and helps people living in poverty by creating incentives for apprenticeship and job training programs. These programs will help people start fulfilling careers and give businesses qualified candidates.”

As chair of the legislative Commission on Skills and Development and Career Education, Bronson knows that apprenticeships provide a pipeline of skilled workers in fields such as nursing, agriculture, advanced manufacturing and information technology. That’s why he sponsored legislation – included in the Assembly’s budget proposal – to create the Empire State Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which will help grow the economy by allowing businesses to hire and train apprentices. It will also provide a higher tax credit for those that hire disadvantaged youth.

The budget proposal also allocates $10 million for Strategic Investment in Workforce Development Initiatives to help workers get trained and ensure employers have access to the skilled workers they need.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done to create a healthy environment for both workers and businesses. Bronson will continue fighting for workers and employers by shrinking the skills gap and connecting candidates to jobs. He will also push to create wage data clearinghouses, which would inform the state about workforce preparation, worker training and education programs to help identify which programs are effective in helping participants get on good career paths.

“We must focus on connecting people with good-paying jobs,” Bronson said. “Each and every New Yorker should have a fair shot at a bright future.”