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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michiko Grasso, Vice President of External Affairs at Nontraditional Employment for Women
1:59:15
ยท
152 sec
Michiko Grasso from Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) testified about the organization's work in preparing, training, and placing women in skilled construction, utility, and maintenance trades. She emphasized the importance of city council funding for workforce development programs and highlighted the underrepresentation of women in critical infrastructure fields.
- NEW trains approximately 350 individuals annually, providing a pathway to well-paying jobs with benefits in male-dominated industries.
- Grasso requested support for NEW's partnership with NYCHA's RISE program and flexible funding for an emergency fund to help women overcome barriers in continuing their work.
- She stressed that investments in workforce development would yield significant returns and contribute to building a brighter future for tradeswomen.
Michiko Grasso
1:59:15
Good afternoon, chair Farias and members of the committee.
1:59:18
I am Michiko Grasso, vice president of external affairs at nontraditional employment for amendment or new.
1:59:24
Thank you to the city council for your support of our work over the years.
1:59:28
Most recently, we received funds from the speakers initiative, the young women's leadership development, and pride at work.
1:59:35
Our mission is to prepare, train, and place women in careers in the skilled construction, utility, and maintenance trades, helping them achieve economic independence and a secure future for themselves and their families.
1:59:48
New also helps create a skilled workforce vital to economic development in the city.
1:59:54
We provide a pathway to jobs that provide good pay, benefits, and safety protections.
1:59:59
Through its core pre apprenticeship training program, along with job placement and wraparound services, NEW lowers barriers to a male dominated industry and supports women throughout their trade journey.
2:00:11
Every year, we train approximately 350 individuals.
2:00:16
According to a 2023 report from the US Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, women are vastly underrepresented in critical infrastructure fields.
2:00:25
Despite being 50% of the total workforce, only 4.2% make up the skilled construction trades occupations.
2:00:34
There are also pay disparities for women in these fields, and further, the barriers for women entering the trades are many.
2:00:42
So many more investments are needed in the workforce development sector.
2:00:46
With the shift in federal funding, the city council funding is more important than ever.
2:00:51
Investments in key programs such as the job readiness and training initiative are crucial for nonprofits such as ours.
2:00:58
We recently submitted a request to this initiative to boost our new partnership with NYCHA through its RISE program.
2:01:06
We plan to reach out and serve NYCHA residents in districts of elected officials whom we work with, and your funding will maximize the impact of this partnership.
2:01:15
We also need more flexible dollars for our emergency fund, helps trace women who encounter unplanned expenses that may prohibit the continuation of their work or force their resignation.
2:01:27
Support includes housing, transportation, union initiation dues, and utilities assistance.
2:01:33
There are many opportunities available to women in the trades, and we thank the committee for considering investing in this sector.
2:01:40
Your investment will return a hundredfold.
2:01:43
Thank you for your partnership, and we look forward to building a brighter future for our tradesmen with you.
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Testimony by Gregory J. Morris, CEO of New York City Employment Training Coalition on Workforce Development and Economic Growth