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Career Ladders P445 (9/04) F A C T S H E E T Brought to you by the New York State Department of Labor. www.workforcenewyork.com George E. Pataki, Governor Linda Angello, Commissioner Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. What is the Career Ladders program? The Career Ladders program follows research that shows workers advance faster with a plan that charts training and education requirements. This career roadmap is not always obvious, especially in developing industries. As a result, many policy experts are calling for the creation of career ladders — long-term career progression pathways that show workers how to advance. The New York State Department of Labor, in partnership with the State Workforce Investment Board, businesses and educational institutions, has developed a pool of highly qualified consultants who will help employers create and use this tool. The pathways benefit individuals by providing skills upgrades and the option for improved earnings. Businesses that have a defined career ladder gain an advantage in recruiting and training new workers and in retaining their existing workforce. What fields use career ladders? Career ladders are especially important in high- wage, high-growth fields such as information technology and biotechnology. As a framework for lifelong learning, career pathways begin with basic skills, then help employees to integrate education with work. This combination can propel individuals toward progressively higher levels of skill, responsi- bility and wages. Examples of fields where career mapping has been carried out under this program include: Biotechnology, Photonics, Semiconductors, Information Technology, Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing. Where can I get more information about the Career Ladders Program? For more information on this program, go to: www.workforcenewyork.com. or call: 1-800-HIRE-992.