Targeted Sector Workforce Development Program

Working with the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), the Capstone team recommended a design for a pilot workforce development program that targets a growing sector of the city’s economy. In 2003, SBS assumed responsibility for adult workforce development programs from the former Department of Employment. SBS intends to launch a pilot program that is employer-driven and targets integrated workforce development resources towards a sector of the city’s economy, effectively linking workforce development goals with economic development goals. The Capstone team organized the project into two phases, first recommending a sector on which to focus the pilot and then proposing an implementation strategy. After comprehensive research of all major sectors in the city economy using several economic criteria, the team recommended three sectors on which the pilot could focus: colleges and universities, financial services, and ambulatory health care. SBS decided to focus the pilot on the hospital sector. The team then conducted a thorough program design analysis, including nationwide best practices research and exploratory interviews of key industry experts in New York City before recommending a pilot program design. Using the recommendations of the Capstone team, SBS is moving closer to implementing its workforce development pilot program.