LI organizations offer blueprint to build region’s workforce

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With a focused effort from Long Island’s key stakeholders, the region can boost its workforce, enhance its competitiveness and help to grow the economy.

That is the message in a new publication, “Innovating the Talent Pipeline: Strategies for Workforce Development in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge.” The 54-page report, which was announced at a workforce development conference and awards ceremony at Farmingdale State College last week, was commissioned by HIA-LI, Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency and the Workforce Development Institute, a statewide non-profit that works to increase opportunities for New Yorkers to succeed in the workforce while earning family-sustaining wages.

“Now more than ever, businesses are recognizing the importance of investing in the skills, knowledge, and adaptability of their workforce,” Terri Alessi-Miceli, president and CEO of HIA-LI, said in a statement about the report. “This visionary study spells out a workforce development strategy that can underpin the long-term resilience of the Long Island business sector.”

The report was written by James Lima Planning + Development, a New York City-based planning, real estate and economic advisory firm. For this report, the company conducted online surveys of 34 Long Island employers between July and September. Survey questions focused on the businesses’ skill and talent attraction and retention needs. Eighty-eight percent of respondents employ 50 or more people. Three-fifths of the respondents were located in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge.

The study features a five-point strategy that is aimed at helping the private sector, government and educational institutions garner the highest returns for Long Island businesses. And while the study has a focus on the industrial park in Hauppauge, organizers say the strategies apply across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The report’s authors recommend launching an island wide access-and-awareness campaign to engage local employers, training and resource providers and community-based organizations. The campaign would promote adult English classes at libraries, Suffolk County Labor Department career support and Farmingdale State College’s job fairs.

The authors also recommend strengthening industry-academia partnerships. This initiative would be undertaken by trade associations, employers, schools and training providers. The program would focus on project-based learning, digital and AI tools, emerging industry processes and materials and manufacturing sector best practices.

Fostering collaborations within and across sectors was another recommendation. This initiative would be led by business groups, employers, regional interest groups, government agencies and nonprofit intermediaries. These partners can promote programs involving manufacturing sector best practices, foreign language support, and software training.

Fostering a pathway and culture for learning and advancement was also recommended. This strategy would promote such programs as mentee-mentor initiatives as well as such branded learning programs as Pryor Business Training, Relias Academy and KnowledgeWave.

Promoting more affordable and attractive communities on Long Island was the final recommendation. The plan here called for action from private industry and regional trade associations, government agencies and community groups. They would advocate, for example, for the expansion of workforce housing and transit-oriented development.

Leaders behind the study offered their insights into the report’s findings.

“The Suffolk County IDA’s role of attracting and retaining new businesses hinges on the ability of our region to produce a workforce that is ready to meet the skill sets required by today’s growing industries,” Kelly Murphy, acting executive director of the Suffolk IDA and a member of the HIA-LI board, said in a written statement.

“This survey is extremely impactful as it helps to determine where some of the knowledge and skills gaps exist so they can be addressed,” she added. “A diverse and talented workforce is what sets our region apart, and this study will bolster our position into the future.”

“Long Island’s academic institutions have a critical role to play in nurturing and sustaining the health of our area’s businesses,” Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College and a member of the HIA-LI board, said in written statement.

“Suffolk County Community College is already collaborating with HIA-LI in the area of workforce development, and this report will help all stakeholders magnify our success in this critical area,” he added.

“This analysis provides valuable insights into the present state of skill training and the challenges related to attracting and retaining workers both at the Innovation Park and across the region,” Carol Allen, president and CEO of People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union and chairperson of the HIA-LI board, said in a written statement.

“When we maximize the impact of our workforce development initiatives, it’s a win-win for both employer and employees,” she added.

“This report reminds us that we can propel sustainable economic growth for Long Island by prioritizing workforce development and by fostering innovations in the way we attract and retain talent,” Rich Humann, president and CEO of H2M architects + engineers and a member of the HIA-LI board, said in a written statement.

“We call upon businesses, government, and academic institutions to look closely at the report’s recommendations – and take prompt action to implement them,” he added.