Workforce Planning Overview
Workforce Planning is a continual process used to align the needs and priorities of New York State’s workforce and economic development objectives. WIOA requires workforce planning at the state, regional and local levels to enable partnerships which meet the workforce needs of businesses.
Levels of Planning
Local Planning
Local plans are developed by Local Workforce Development Boards, a total of 33 across the State of New York.
Regional Planning
Local areas collaborate within their region to develop plans that describe how they are carrying out the State's policy direction.
Statewide Planning
WIOA requires states to submit a 4-year State Plan to receive funding for the six WIOA core programs.
Statewide Workforce Planning Additional Information
The Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program provides federal funding to states to hire dedicated staff to provide individualized career and training-related services to veterans and eligible individuals with barriers to employment, and assist businesses to fill their workforce needs with job-seeking veterans. JVSG recipients are required to complete a five-year plan, with required annual updates.
WIOA Waivers being considered by the State will be made available for public comment prior to submission to the United States Department of Labor. Comments should be submitted via email to [email protected].
More information about the JSVG State Plan, WIOA Waivers and other Statewide Planning documents can be found by clicking the View Statewide Plans link below.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan partners thank the individuals and organizations that submitted comments on the 2026 NYS WIOA Combined Plan Modification during the public comment period from February 5, 2026-March 8, 2026. A few specific suggestions resulted in updates to the Modification; others did not result in direct edits to the written Modification but will be considered by WIOA partners for the next full Combined State Plan submission in 2028.
The following individuals and organizations provided comments:
- Jennifer Stavola
Director of Planning Unit
Workforce Development Board Coordinator
Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs - Antonia Giuliano
Senior Policy Advisor for Food and Dairy
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets - Renée St. Jacques
Director of Public Policy
New York Farm Bureau - Christine Garland
Senior Director of Workforce Development and Programs
CWI Works
For questions or comments related to the 2026 NYS WIOA Combined Plan Modification, please contact [email protected].
Labor Market Information for Workforce Planning
Supporting Plans on the Local and Regional Levels
About LMI
LMI assists Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDAs) to develop regional workforce strategies that align with Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) priorities.
Occupations in Demand
Each program year, LWDAs are required to develop and continually update the list of occupations that are in-demand (current, short-term, and long-term) in their regional planning area.
Significant Industries
Significant industries are identified on the basis of job counts, wage levels, job growth and expected job growth based on industry employment projections.