Authorizes the New York state foundation for science, technology and innovation to establish a high-tech employment and training program

2 Co-sponsors

• Grace Meng
• Daniel Burling

BILL NUMBER:A8869

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to estab- lishing a high-tech employment and training program within the New York state foundation for science, technology and innovation

Purpose

The bill establishes the high-tech employment and training program within NYSTAR to provide funding for projects to support indus- try and firm specific training for firms in high-tech industries that are characterized by businesses which are developing or offering a tech- nology-based product or service and which are actively conducting research and development design to develop or improve such product or service.

Summary of provisions

The bill requires that the Director of the Science and Technology Foundation develop an annual plan to implement training in cooperation with other entities such as regional and local economic development agencies, centers for advanced technology, and institutions of higher education. Grants may be used to develop occupa- tion-specific training and retraining for employed and unemployed work- ers; to fund projects that use alternative methods of instruction such as distance learning and computer-based training to reach employees in small high-tech firms; and for projects to increase enrollments and retention of minority and women students at both the secondary and post- secondary level interested in careers in high-tech occupational clus- ters. Public and private higher education institutions are eligible to apply for assistance under this program and may use funds for curriculum development, instruction, and costs associated with development and implementation of technologies and software.

Justification

The introduction of new technologies in business and industry necessitates a system of training that is responsive to constantly changing skills requirements, and technology has changed the manner in which such training can be provided within a firm.

Young women are too often directed away from science fields. The unspo- ken rule that science "is not for there is still too prevalent. High on the list of barriers faced by young women is the limited self-image they hold about what they can do, what they might do and where their futures could successfully take them. There is a tremendous need for media, publicity and advertising campaigns to spotlight successful women in science.

The legislature can help break the glass ceiling by encouraging women to prepare for, enter and remain in science and technology fields. This measure would increase the presence of women in science and technology fields by investing in technology training and science and technology education at all levels, with emphasis on programs and practices that encourage underrepresented groups to enter and remain in the increasing- ly-important technology sector.

Legislative history

A.9560 of 1997-98 Passed Assembly/Delivered to Senate A.6368 of 1999-00 Passed Assembly/Died in Senate A.2334/S.5537 of 2001-02 Passed Assembly/Died in Senate A.144/S.1205 of 2003-04 Referred to Economic Development A.2002/S.1900 of 2005-06 Passed Assembly S.2004 of 2007-08 Passed Senate/Died in Assembly

Fiscal implications

To be determined,

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 1st of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.