New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) – Albany, NY
New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals (NYATEP) is New York’s premier workforce development association representing over 250 organizations, including workforce development boards, community college systems, economic developers, career and technical education providers, labor unions, literacy associations, transportation associations, among others. NYATEP advocates on behalf of the workforce development community for equitable systems change and promotes economic mobility, provides training to create opportunities for advancement, and promotes improvement of the state’s systems and local practice in providing workforce services.
The Fund for Workforce Equity supported NYATEP’s New York State (NYS) Workforce Acceleration Institute (WAI) for Leaders of Color. This program was ideated by an advisory group of 15 Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) workforce executives from across the state and is a 10-month leadership and systems change initiative to elevate current and emerging leaders by developing equity-focused leadership competencies, developing an in-depth knowledge of statewide and national workforce policies, building a network of leaders of color within the NYS workforce system, and identifying policies that break down systemic barriers that have kept individuals of color within the NYS workforce system from advancing and making an impact in their local communities.
The 12-month WAI Leaders of Color program was launched in August 2023 with its first phase: a Workforce Development Leadership Credential program with a focus on equity and inclusion. This co-branded credential with Cornell University’s External Education division is a customized three-course program covering various topics, including diversity in the workplace and analyzing power and systems. The second phase is a 4-month intensive Equity in Action practicum, where participants put the knowledge they gained into practice. The third and final phase involves matching participants with an executive coach to strengthen their equity-focused leadership competencies (e.g., Leading with a DEI Lens, Addressing Internal/Intra-Racial Biases) and addressing professional challenges and identifying opportunities for advancement.
In addition to the grant funding, NYATEP found value in the technical assistance supports provided by the Fund. This included one-on-one coaching sessions, participating in learning community webinars, and attending a training on power mapping. When the program comes to a close, NYATEP plans to share its first-year findings with its Board of Directors, the Fund for Workforce Equity, and state agencies who may benefit from the results, such as the Department of Labor and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. It hopes this will bring together funders, grantors, grantees, and service providers to address equity in the broader workforce system.