Creating an Innovative Workforce Development Program in Upper Manhattan

The Harlem Community Development Corporation (HCDC) traditionally served the community of Upper Manhattan by leveraging real estate assets to promote economic development. More recently, the focus of the organization has shifted to a desire to make a positive impact on workforce development landscape in Upper Manhattan.

The Capstone team conducted extensive research and interviews while taking into account the respective geographic and demographic attributes of upper Manhattan. The aim of the project was threefold: to understand the landscape of workforce development in Upper Manhattan, to recognize HCDC’s place within that landscape, and to determine where HCDC’s distinct assets could be leveraged to positively impact workforce development efforts.

Throughout their research, the team identified a number of characteristics shared by the best workforce development programs; chief among them being that the most successful and sustainable programs undertake an employer-focused approach.

In the end, the team recommended that HCDC undertake a Business-to-Workforce Development Model with a strategy to:

1. Gather market intelligence through sector-based metrics to ascertain sector based skill and training deficits within the private sector.
2. Connect businesses with placement- and/or training-based workforce development organizations to ensure sustainability placement and training sustainability.
3. Allocate support (through either funding or endorsement) to successful programs in line with sector demand and objectives.
4. Maintain records tracking the programming and employer satisfaction.

Faculty Advisor: David Margalit