Business & Tech

State Grants Help Local Businesses Hire the Unemployed

In the Hudson Valley, 51 businesses have already hired 110 workers under the program, state officials said.

As federal unemployment benefits end for 1.3 million Americans, New York state is reminding businesses of an incentive to hire people who've been out of work for more than 26 weeks.

Nearly $500,000 in job training grants is still available to employers who hire long-term unemployed New Yorkers, according to a statement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

This funding is available through the On-the-Job Training (OJT) National Emergency Grant (NEG). This effort is part of a campaign to help individuals who have been out of work for 26 weeks or longer connect to available jobs in their region. To date, more than 660 businesses have been awarded nearly $9 million to train workers across the state. Businesses received an average of nearly $7,000 per hire, with more than 1,300 workers hired through the grant funding.

“Lowering the cost that businesses pay to train employees can have a big impact on reducing unemployment rates and spurring economic growth throughout the state,” said Governor Cuomo. “These grants help businesses grow their workforce and ensure New Yorkers have the opportunity to find well paying, long-term, stable jobs. I encourage employers in every region to learn more about the training dollars available.”

In addition to the training incentives for businesses, the Department of Labor is putting extra emphasis on working directly with individuals who have been out of work for 26 weeks or longer.

While the economy is improving in New York State, it is still a highly competitive job market,” said State Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera. “Anyone looking for a job or to advance their career should come into one of our Career Centers near them and get services that will give them a competitive edge.”

In the Hudson Valley Region, 51 businesses have already hired 110 workers under the program.

Karl Horberg of the Dairy Conveyor Corp in Brewster, said, “Our experience has been nothing but positive. We have received very well qualified candidates through the program. They are very good additions to our staff. They bring with them some very good qualities, they are anxious and willing to work, they learn easily and they get along well with all the other employees. I’m not sure if it’s because they have been out of work or that they’ve worked at other places, but they have contributed much to our organization that we probably would not have gotten from the normal hiring process. It has certainly been a positive experience working with the Department of Labor and especially the OJT NEG program.”


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