Mission Statement:  To promote the growth and development of the Brooklyn economy by connecting local residents to local jobs, and improving the workforce development system in New York City by working with government, education and community organizations to develop and enhance business driven workforce development solutions.

WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS NETWORKS (WINs) – A NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SITE

In October of 2003, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Workforce Preparation (CWP), selected the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce as one of its new WINs sites.  Through funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, WINs promotes the capacity of chambers of commerce to function as effective workforce development intermediaries, successfully linking businesses to the public workforce system.  As a WINs site, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will seek to increase business access to qualified workers, promote the collection and dissemination of local labor market information and increase small business involvement in public policy discussions around workforce development.

GOOD HELP – A FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

The Good Help program is the Brooklyn Chamber’s free employment service for employers seeking to fill both entry-level and skilled positions.  Job postings are received from companies outlining the various job qualifications and requirements.  These postings are then circulated amongst a network of over 140 community-based organizations, colleges, universities, and business/proprietary schools, in an effort to solicit qualified candidates.  Candidates that are referred to Good Help are interviewed and screened based upon the requirements outlined by the employer.  If an appropriate match is made, the candidate is then referred to the company for hiring consideration.

Good Help gives companies access to the widest possible pool of available labor through one central point on access – the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  Since the program’s inception in 1998, Good Help has assisted over 600 area businesses staff for more than 1000 jobs.  With Good Help – it’s a “win-win.”  Unemployed workers find work, Brooklyn companies hire locally, and job-training agencies get placement credit.  For more information about how Good Help can assist you with your hiring needs, contact Mike Rosenthal at 718-875-1000 ext. 108.

WAGE SUBSIDIES, TAX CREDITS AND OTHER WORKFORCE INCENTIVES

The Brooklyn Chamber’s workforce development staff is dedicated to helping employers access a wide range of incentives designed to help them meet various labor needs.  Staff can also assist companies in applying for any of the six different categories of tax credits available for hiring disadvantaged workers including:  people with disabilities, ex-offenders and individuals receiving public assistance.

If training is your need, we can help you find appropriate training providers available to upgrade the skills of your incumbent workers.  In certain instances we can also assist companies in applying for funding to offset some of the costs associated with training.  Click here for more information.

The Brooklyn Chamber seeks to have a positive impact on workforce development policy in NYC by working with government and other organizations to promote system-wide improvements.  Brooklyn Chamber President, Kenneth Adams, serves on the NYC Workforce Investment Board, the governing body under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  WIA funds are designed to promote a comprehensive workforce development system throughout the city.

 
LOCAL LABOR MARKET INFORMATION

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce sees the collection and dissemination of Brooklyn-focused labor market information as essential to nurturing our growing local economy.  The business community and the public at large can benefit from such information that tracks the industry and job growth, occupational wages and various employment trends.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce periodically published various reports and studies on the local economy.  As such, the Brooklyn Chamber can serve as an important source for boroughwide economic data.  Please click here for information about our latest economic report.

 
SPECIAL PROJECTS

Job Fairs – In conjunction with many of the borough’s exceptional colleges and universities, the Workforce Development department hosts periodic job fairs to help companies find appropriate candidates.

Layoff Management Assistance – In partnership with the State Department of Labor, we can work with companies in an effort to prevent layoffs or manage the process more effectively.  Assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis, but can include employee reemployment, benefit access, and succession planning alternatives (if applicable).

OTHER RESOURCES

NYC Business Solutions - Brooklyn Center – An initiative of the NYC Department of Small Business Services to provide a full-range of business development services: government facilitation, incentive programs, procurement opportunities, business planning, financing, seminars and various forms of technical assistance.  Call 718-875-3400 for further information.

Small Business Health Insurance – Providing affordable health insurance to your workers can increase morale, help improve productivity and cut down on costs related to employee turnover.  Brooklyn HealthWorks is a small business health insurance plan administered by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for companies in Brooklyn.  For more information about Brooklyn HealthWorks, contact Theresa Reyes at 718 596-4550 option 3, or visit the Web site at http://www.brooklynhealthworks.com/.