U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is introducing legislation that would help unemployed New Yorkers get the training they need to fill thousands of job vacancies.
According to Gillibrand, 3.2 million New Yorkers between the ages of 18 and 64 only have a high school degree. She adds by 2018, nearly all of the state's fastest growing careers will require employees to have more than just a high school diploma.
Gillibrand says there are more than 600,000 unfilled high paying manufacturing jobs because applicants lack necessary training.
The Senator is introducing a bill that, if passed, will provide the state with $5 billion dollars to enhance training opportunities at community and technical colleges.
"Supporting our community colleges is a very smart investment. When we increase the number of working adults with just two years of additional education and training, it leads to higher incomes throughout their careers, helps keep families stable and helps generate billions for the economy," says Senator Gillibrand.
According to the Senator, New Yorkers with postsecondary and career training earn on average $188,000 dollars more in a lifetime than people with only a high school diploma.