March 2013 Program: Initiatives Addressing the Workforce Skills Gap in Western New York

“ASTD defines a skills gap as a significant gap between an organization’s current capabilities and the skills it needs to achieve its goals.  It is the point at which an organization can no longer grow or remain competitive because it cannot fill critical jobs with employees who have the right knowledge, skills, and abilities.”
Bridging the Skills Gap (2012 ASTD Whitepaper).

Please join us as we are delighted to present Christina Orsi, Empire State Development Western New York Regional Director, who will share details regarding current strategic initiatives that are addressing gaps in local workforce skills to meet current and future market demand and create a more inclusive workforce.  Among the topics to be discussed are the efforts of the Regional Economic Development Council and distribution of the "Buffalo Billion" as it relates to local work force development initiatives.

About our presenter:  Christina P. Orsi joined Empire State Development in September 2007 as the Western New York Regional Director.  During her tenure at Empire State Development, Ms. Orsi has overseen the investment of over $121 million in New York State financial assistance, which leveraged more than $2 billion in private investment and helped create and retain more than 10,000 jobs.  

She also serves as executive director of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.  In this role, Ms. Orsi is responsible for guiding and assisting the Regional Council members as they develop and maintain an initial, five-year strategic plan for long-term, sustainable regional economic growth; coordinate economic development efforts within the region; leverage public and private resources; identify and eliminate obstacles to growth; and implement performance measures to ensure long-term success.  As a result of her leadership, Western New York was named best plan in December 2011 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, resulting in a $100.3 million award to the council for implementation.

About Empire State Development (ESD):  ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of Empire State Development is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, Empire State Development strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State.

**Program attendance supports development in the following learning and performance competencies and areas of expertise, as outlined by the ASTD Competency Model: Integrated Talent Management and Performance Improvement.