SC New York News

U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro (NY-19) will host Frank Stento of the International Union of Painter's and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and Ashley Gamba of Community Options at a House Small Business Committee hearing today. The hearing, focused on workforce development strategies, will begin at 10 a.m.

Rep. Molinaro will chair the session, which can be viewed online.

Frank Stento is the Business Development Director for IUPAT District Council 4, representing 2,000 workers in Southern Tier and Central New York. He completed a registered apprenticeship program in 2016 and now helps attract new members and connect current members with work opportunities.

Ashley Gamba serves as Executive Director with Community Options in Binghamton, a nonprofit organization providing housing and employment support for individuals with disabilities. She has been an advocate for individuals with disabilities for over 18 years and previously oversaw vocational services across several New York regions.

Rep. Molinaro stated, "I'm excited to have Frank Stento and Ashley Gamba in Washington today to share their perspectives. Through our Think DIFFERENTLY and Broome County’s Next Chapter initiatives, we have been working to create an economy that offers good-paying job opportunities for every person of every ability. I look forward to hearing their testimony on how we can build on our work in Broome County and across Upstate New York.”

Frank Stento commented on the challenges faced by the construction industry: “The construction industry as a whole faces challenges with workforce demand but with that comes opportunities. An abundance of projects on the horizon thanks to the CHIPS Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act means contractors will be looking at improved methods to recruit & retain skilled labor for years to come. There is no better way to address that need than through an earn while you learn Registered Apprenticeship Program. I look forward to sharing my experience and connecting with our leadership in Congress to address ways to build a more robust workforce."

Ashley Gamba highlighted issues faced by people with disabilities: "The unemployment and underemployment rate for people with disabilities is significantly higher than people without disabilities. Community Options is proud to collaborate with the small business community to provide meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to enter the workforce, helping to create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive."