Student standing in front of a SUNY Empire building

Workforce Development

Empowering Your Workforce. Strengthening Your Future.


Partner with Empire State University to upskill employees, develop leaders, and build workforce solutions that grow your business and strengthen New York’s talent pipeline.

SUNY Empire: Your Workforce Training & Apprenticeship Partner

Flexible. Affordable. Proven.

At Empire State University (SUNY’s leading online university), we understand the evolving needs of today’s employers. We work with businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies across New York State to deliver custom workforce development programs that align with your talent development goals.

Whether your organization is addressing labor shortages, preparing employees for leadership roles, or reskilling for emerging industry needs, SUNY Empire offers accessible, high-impact education that delivers results.

Here’s why this is so important right now…

Growing Demand & Job Creation Potential

With current federal support, it’s projected that around 2.9 million jobs annually in sectors like infrastructure, energy, and semiconductors could be created provided training systems keep pace (Jobs for the Future, 2025).

Projected Education Requirements

By 2031, 72% of jobs in the U.S. will require education beyond high school; many of these jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree, but do require middle-skill credentials (associates, certificates, etc.) (Jobs for the Future, 2025).

What Sets Us Apart:

  • Pathway-Driven Design – We create learning pathways alongside employers that start with entry-level credentials and stack from associate degrees all the way to advanced graduate degrees.
  • Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) - Help your employees earn college credit for work experience, certifications, military training, and more. This reduces the time and cost of earning a degree.
  • Statewide and Online Reach - Scale your training efforts with flexible online delivery and regional partnerships throughout New York and beyond.
  • Faculty Expertise - Our faculty are experts in their fields and bring real-world experience to the classroom.
 

Programs and Pathways

Solutions for Every Workforce Need

SUNY Empire partners with employers to offer a wide range of workforce development and career-aligned programs, including:

  • Certificates and Microcredentials - Short, stackable programs designed to build in-demand skills quickly.
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees - Online degree options that help employees grow within your organization.
  • Workforce Training - Custom programs co-designed with your organization to meet specific training goals.
  • Leadership Development - Develop future managers and executives with focused leadership training.
  • Apprenticeship Access - Support for both apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Benefits for Employers

Invest in People. See Results.

Workforce development partnerships with SUNY Empire provide direct value to your organization.

  • Upskill and reskill employees to meet evolving demands
  • Improve employee retention and engagement
  • Align training with your business strategy and industry trends
  • Build a stronger, more diverse talent pipeline
  • See a faster return on investment through certificates and short-term training
  • Deliver training in online, in-person, or hybrid formats
  • With our team and support, explore funding options to reduce your organization’s costs

Partnerships in Action

Real Stories. Real Impact.

"SUNY Empire helps us be able to upskill our team members in order to get them to the next level in their leadership career."
 
— Anna Sharts (Human Resources Business Partner, Northwell Health)

 

Our partners include:

  • CVS Health Corporation
  • International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)
  • New York State Department of Labor
  • New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
  • Northwell Health, Inc.
  • Union Plus

   

 

How It Works

  • Connect with our workforce development team
  • Identify your organization’s training and learning goals
  • Co-create a customized program or employee pathway
  • Launch your program, measure outcomes, and grow together
Placeholder image

 

 

Get Started Today

Let’s Build the Future of Work Together

Interested in exploring a workforce development partnership with Empire State University?
We’re ready when you are.

Fill out the inquiry form to tell us about your goals, and a member of our team will reach out to you directly.

Prefer to connect by email? Contact us at partners@sunyempire.edu

Let’s create a partnership that works for your organization, your employees, and your community.