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Cultivating New York's Farm-to-Career Pipeline
While the agricultural industry represents a vital cornerstone of the Empire State's economy, labor shortages have slowed growth. The New York State Department of Labor is taking an innovative approach to nurturing the next crop of agricultural talent.
Planting Seeds of Workforce Development
DOL has partnered with Cornell University to fund a dedicated Workforce Development Specialist focused solely on the dairy processing sector. This first-of-its-kind role is a boots-on-the-ground effort to:
- Deeply understand workforce needs directly from industry leaders
- Design tailored career exploration and training programs for the dairy sector
- Coordinate with high schools, educational orgs, and community groups to implement programming
It's an investment in building a robust pipeline of skilled dairy professionals for years to come.
Sowing Career Curiosity at the Great New York State Fair
In order to succeed, workforce development efforts often need to start by introducing kids to the varied opportunities within an industry. Each year at the NYS Fair, DOL and Ag & Markets showcase the boundless possibilities of agricultural careers to youth through an immersive "Ag Stops" experience.
Young ambassadors guide visitors through interactive displays spotlighting different agricultural professions. From farming to food science, distribution and more - kids get a firsthand look at the diverse opportunities the industry offers.
Those completing at least six stops are entered into a grand prize drawing, further incentivizing their journey of career enlightenment. It's a fun, hands-on way to pique interest in an often-overlooked field.
New York's agricultural leadership depends on fortifying the workforce from all angles. With forward-thinking initiatives like the Dairy Workforce Specialist and State Fair Ag Stops, DOL is tilling the soil for long-term industry growth.
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