For 3rd year, Department of Labor invites job seekers & businesses to help shape workforce development programs

Says feedback will help identify issues, drive policy & programming

√ Take job seeker survey here // take business survey here

Submitted by the New York State Department of Labor

The New York State Department of Labor announced this year’s launch of two statewide surveys designed to help further gauge the real-time needs and challenges faced by job seekers and businesses across New York.

DOL stated, “Now in their third year, these first-of-their-kind surveys have collected the voices of more than 12,000 job seekers and nearly 6,000 businesses coming from every region and industry in New York. The state has been sharing results from the surveys with hundreds of job seekers and businesses directly, as well as with leaders in school districts, higher education, workforce development, business associations, training providers and much more.”

Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Knowledge is power, and we are going directly to the source to better understand where to direct needed resources. I encourage job seekers and businesses to provide their perspective on what they are experiencing and how we can help. I thank our many partners, especially local workforce boards, for helping us get the word out about these surveys.”

The job seeker survey is for New Yorkers who are out of work, underemployed, or those considering new employment. The business survey is open to all business owners and human resources professionals involved in hiring. A press release stated, “Participants are invited to provide input that will help NYSDOL better align worker skills to meet the needs of the economy and shed light on economic challenges and workforce needs.

“The business survey is once again being conducted in partnership with Empire State Development and the New York State Business Council. This data has been invaluable in helping NYSDOL respond to the evolution of world of work since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Heather Mulligan, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State, said, “Workforce development programs and initiatives remain crucial to upskilling our workforce as employers across the state continue to seek a trained and willing workforce. We hope this survey continues to serve as a useful tool in connecting businesses with individuals looking for gainful employment so that our state’s private sector employers can grow and our state’s economy can expand.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY’s vision for student success is inextricably interwoven with our commitment to workforce development and upward mobility, and it is important for me to meet with local employers at every campus visit to better understand their needs and how SUNY can better tailor our programs to the demands of a modern workforce. SUNY is a primary economic driver in New York, and our campuses are well-positioned to provide the skilled workforce that employers need. By communicating directly with our partners to understand the workforce landscape now and in the future, we can ensure our graduates are properly prepared to meet the current needs of employers and develop fulfilling careers in the most in-demand fields.”

New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “By working with our partner state agencies, we are able to develop sustainable solutions that create a more equitable and diverse workforce in our state. These survey results will support the Education Department’s mission to raise the knowledge, skill and opportunity of all New Yorkers. Schools, districts and BOCES can use this information to more precisely prepare students for college, careers and beyond. Moreover, the results can help us provide adult students with successful pathways and transitions to apprenticeship training and the workforce. ”

Past results from the survey can be found on the DOL website:

√ 2022 Business Workforce Survey Results

√ 2022 Job Seeker Survey Results

Both the job seeker survey and the business survey close at noon Friday, April 28. Survey end dates may be extended based on need. Interested participants can take the job seekers survey here, or take the business survey here.