Workforce Development Institute

Bridging the Gap: How HIA-LI’s ‘Setup For Success’ Shadowing Program is Building Tomorrow’s Workforce

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In today’s fast-paced world, the connection between education and industry is more critical than ever. Employers across Long Island — and indeed, across the country — are facing a growing challenge: finding skilled workers to fill the positions that drive our economy forward. Yet, despite the abundance of job opportunities, many of these positions remain unfilled due to a shortage of qualified candidates. This is a challenge that HIA-LI, in partnership with the Smithtown School District’s Industry Advisory Board (IAB), is taking head-on with the launch of our new “Setup for Success” Shadowing Program.

A Direct Response to Workforce Needs

The “Setup for Success” Shadowing Program is a strategic move to address the pressing workforce development issues identified in HIA-LI’s 2023 report, Innovating the Talent Pipeline: Strategies for Workforce Development in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge. This 54-page report, developed in collaboration with the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency and the Workforce Development Institute, outlined the critical need for stronger industry-academia partnerships to prepare students for careers that are in-demand. Click here to view the report. The gap between education and industry has been growing, and employers are feeling the pinch as they struggle to fill skilled positions.

As highlighted in our report, there’s a significant disconnect between the skills being taught in our schools and the needs of today’s job market. Too few students are pursuing career paths that align with the high-demand sectors on Long Island, leaving companies in desperate need of qualified professionals. Our “Setup for Success” Shadowing Program is a direct response to this issue, aiming to bridge that gap by giving students real-world exposure to the careers they might one day pursue.

Inspiring the Next Generation

The program invites HIA-LI member and non-member companies alike to open their doors to Smithtown High School students for a day of shadowing. This experience allows students to observe, engage, and immerse themselves in various career areas, helping them gain a clearer understanding of the professional world. It’s an invaluable opportunity for these young individuals to set and achieve their career goals with confidence and foresight.

The program is more than just an opportunity for students — it’s a chance for companies to invest in the future of our region. By participating, employers can inspire the next generation of professionals and contribute to the growth and development of the Long Island workforce.

Building Stronger Industry-Academia Partnerships

At the heart of this initiative is the recognition that early career exposure is crucial for students. By collaborating with industry leaders, we can ensure that education and training efforts at all levels are aligned with the needs of today’s job market.

For companies, the benefits of participating are many. Not only do they get to showcase their work environments and the diverse career opportunities available, but they also play a pivotal role in shaping the career paths of young professionals. It’s a win-win situation for both the students and the organizations involved.

Get Involved: Shaping the Future Workforce

The ‘Setup for Success’ Shadowing Program is a flexible and impactful opportunity for companies to make a meaningful difference. The shadowing experience typically lasts between three to five hours, providing students with a snapshot of a typical workday without disrupting their regular school schedule. Companies interested in participating can express their interest by filling out a simple form here.

We at HIA-LI are excited to see the effect this program will have on Long Island’s future workforce. By working together, we can ensure that our students are not only prepared for the careers of tomorrow but are also inspired and equipped to thrive in them. Let’s bridge the gap between education and industry and set our future workforce up for success.

Lastly, I want to thank the co-chairs of HIA-LI’s Workforce Development Task Force — Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M Architects and Engineers, and Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College — for their invaluable guidance and support for this initiative, as well as Phil Como, Executive Director of the Smithtown IAB.

For more information about the “Setup for Success” Shadowing Program, contact Halle Grossman at HIA-LI at 631-543-5355 or hgrossman@hia-li.org.

Innovating the Talent Pipeline: A New Dawn for Long Island’s Workforce Development

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Rich Humann, President & CEO at H2M architects + engineers, and an HIA-LI board member, moderated the panel.

The much-anticipated report, “Innovating the Talent Pipeline: Strategies for Workforce Development in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge,” was unveiled at HIA-LI’s “Workforce Development Conference and Scholarship Awards” event on October 13, 2023, at Farmingdale State College. This report is a testament to our commitment, as outlined in my June 5, 2023 blog post, to address the skills gap on Long Island.

The Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge (LI-IPH), the Northeast’s largest industrial park, is a beacon of regional economic strength, with over 1,300 companies and employing more than 55,000 workers. However, the challenge of a skilled workforce shortage looms large. This report, a collaborative effort between HIA-LI, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), and the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), provides a roadmap to ensure the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the Long Island business sector.

James Lima Planning + Development, a renowned a New York City-based planning, real estate, and economic advisory firm, undertook the strategic analysis. Their comprehensive study, based on surveys from 34 Long Island employers, sheds light on the skills and talent needs of businesses, with a special focus on the LI-IPH.

The report’s findings are both insightful and actionable. It emphasizes the importance of:

  1. Access and Awareness: An island-wide campaign to promote resources such as adult English classes, career support, and job fairs.
  2. Strengthening Industry-Academia Partnerships: Encouraging project-based learning, AI tools, and best practices in the manufacturing sector.
  3. Promoting Intra- and Cross-Sector Collaborations: Highlighting best practices, foreign language support, and software training.
  4. Fostering a Learning and Advancement Culture: Championing mentorship initiatives and branded learning programs.
  5. Building Affordable and Attractive Communities: Advocating for workforce housing and transit-oriented development.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to the panelists and contributors who made this event and report possible. Their insights and expertise have been invaluable.

And of course, a special thanks to our partners in this effort: Kelly Murphy, Acting Executive Director of the Suffolk County IDA, and Robyn Fellrath, Long Island Regional Director at the Workforce Development Institute. We couldn’t have done this without their steadfast support.

Another highlight of the morning was the Scholarship Awards ceremony. This initiative is more than just financial assistance; it’s a commitment to the future of Long Island. By providing scholarships to high school graduates who choose to pursue their college studies here on Long Island, we’re not only investing in their education but also fostering a sense of community and continuity. It’s a clear message: we believe in the potential of our young minds and the promise they hold for our region’s future.

It’s also a testament to our dedication to keeping local talent local. By incentivizing our youth to study and subsequently work in the Nassau-Suffolk region, we’re ensuring a steady stream of skilled professionals who are familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities here on Long Island. These young individuals, equipped with local knowledge and a world-class education, will be the driving force behind Long Island’s continued economic growth and innovation.

In conclusion, as the President and CEO of HIA-LI, I am proud of this monumental step towards bridging the skills gap on Long Island. The recommendations in this report are not just words on paper; they are a call to action. Together, we can ensure a vibrant, resilient, and future-ready regional economy.

Steering the Future: HIA-LI’s New Workforce Development Task Force

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As President and CEO of HIA-LI, one of Long Island’s foremost business advocacy organizations, I’m excited to share that we are launching a new Workforce Development Task Force. This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting businesses and strengthening the economic framework of the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge (LI-IPH).

The LI-IPH is a significant player in our region’s economy, serving as the largest business park in the Northeast. With around 1,400 companies that employ approximately 55,000 workers, it forms a critical part of Long Island’s economic pulse. However, like many regions across the country, Long Island faces a significant challenge: a shortage of skilled workers. This issue is not just immediate; it also has implications for our region’s future growth and resilience.

To address this challenge, we’ve assembled a task force with two specific goals: align resources to meet business needs and spearhead efforts to recruit and develop talent for in-demand careers. Our task force is led by two respected individuals, Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M Architects & Engineers, and Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. They will leverage their expertise to foster meaningful collaborations between businesses, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations.

We draw inspiration from successful ventures like Suffolk County Community College’s Solar Installer Certificate Program, a perfect example of mutually beneficial academia-business partnerships. By facilitating similar collaborations, we aim to ensure students are equipped with hands-on experience and businesses have access to a well-trained talent pool.

In the evolving post-Covid landscape, it’s crucial to forecast the skills businesses will need. To this end, the task force will commission an extensive “LI-IPH In-Demand Skills Assessment” in partnership with the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (Suffolk IDA) and executed by James Lima Planning, a renowned New York City-based consulting firm. This project is made possible by a grant from the Workforce Development Institute, with additional funding from HIA-LI and the Suffolk IDA. The results will guide academia in reshaping curricula to align better with the future needs of the region’s economy.

Our task force’s initiative resonates with a larger statewide initiative – a $350-million initiative announced last year by Governor Kathy Hochul – to improve workers’ skills to meet job demands. This wider program forms a crucial element of a strategic approach to workforce development in the region.

Given the rapid pace of technological advancements, anticipating the shape of future work is a priority. The task force is committed to helping local businesses understand and prepare for these changes. By creating synergies between businesses, academia, and governmental organizations, we aim to foster a more resilient economy, attuned to both immediate and future needs of Long Island’s workforce.

Smaller businesses often find predicting future skill requirements a daunting task. Thus, we’re tailoring our efforts to help these firms, providing assistance to navigate and prepare for future demands. We are aiming to equip these businesses with customized programs that meet their ever-evolving workforce needs.

In conclusion, the Workforce Development Task Force reflects our dedication to continually fostering the growth and development of Long Island’s workforce. We view this initiative as a strategic response to current challenges, ensuring a more vibrant, resilient, and future-ready regional economy.

Stay tuned for information about our fall Workforce Development Conference where the results of the “LI-IPH In-Demand Skills Assessment” will be presented and discussed.