In the midst of a labor shortage across the state, state Sen. Pam Helming, R-Canandaigua, wants the state Apprenticeship and Training Council to be much more active.

The council was created in 1992 to advise the state on apprentice training issues, to recommend changes for apprenticeship agreements and to recommend research projects on facts and trends related to apprenticeship training and the supply of skilled workers.

Helming, through S.6842, wants the group to meet at least six times a year, with teleconference meetings available, and to provide an annual report to the governor and state Legislature.

“According to New York State’s Department of Labor website, the State Apprenticeship and Training Council has met eight times since April 2016 with only one meeting held in 2017 and one meeting (that lasted for a little over an hour) held in 2019 thus far,” Helming wrote in her legislative justification. “During a time when we are working to double the number of apprenticeship programs in New York state and grow and strengthen our workforce, one meeting a year by this council is unacceptable.”

According to the state Labor Department website, more skilled tradesmen are needed to replace aging workers as skilled tradesmen are retiring faster than they can be replaced. The department notes career opportunities are available for machinists, welders, tool and die makers and other skilled tradesmen.

Helming has also proposed S.6841 to increase the Employee Training Incentive Program, increasing the tax credit to employers who use the program from 50% to 70% of eligible training costs for employees. The program provides a tax credit to employers for training that upgrades, retrains or improves the productivity of employees and for approved internship programs.

“Many employers cite a lack of available trained workers as a major impediment to growth and success of their businesses,” Helming wrote in her legislative justification. “This legislation will strengthen employee training while easing the burden of the cost for the business.”

Last year, County Executive George Borrello, who will soon take his place in the state Senate, said there were more than 500 full-time, year-round positions open at Chautauqua County businesses unfilled because there weren’t skilled workers to fill them.