Excerpted from the Times Union, October 10, 2016
Some think those on welfare like to sit back and collect their checks; others believe most people would prefer to work, rather than be on welfare. I am firmly in the latter camp. Through Schenectady-WIN, a newly formed nonprofit, we are about to find out who is right.
Reflecting on how to address the issue of unemployment in Schenectady, a few of us came to the conclusion there was a potentially easy answer. Not a silver bullet or quick fix. An answer, nevertheless, that combined four key components — education, soft skills, hard skills and a job commitment for those who successfully completed the education and skills components.