Stories that feature our work amongst our communities in New York, the US, and the world, and invitations to join the change we're making to the world of work.
New York State Economic Development
Solar Solutions: Workers Face Challenges in Renewable Energy Sector
Cornell Chronicle
Researchers at the ILR School’s Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) are helping to ensure the solar workforce is treated as fairly and equitably as employees in other industries.
Climate Jobs Institute Explores the Future of New York’s Energy Grid at SOMOS New York Conference
On Saturday, March 8th, CJI will co-host a panel discussion at the 2025 SOMOS Inc New York Conference. The panel, titled “Planning for our Future: The Importance of Developing a Climate-Resilient Energy Grid,” aligns with the conference’s broader theme, “Justice in Action.”
Many in Tompkins County Do Not Earn a Living Wage: ILR Researchers
The 2025 living wage for a single adult living alone in Tompkins County is $24.82 per hour, but almost half of the county’s 48,894 wage earners earn less than that, according to ILR School researchers.
CJI joins panel at the 54th Annual Legislative Conference in Albany
Melissa Shetler, Assistant Director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity at the Institute, participated in the panel “How Communities of Color Will Shape the Future of Technology, Energy, and Design,” during the annual Legislative Conference organized by the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators.
At New York state’s annual DREAM symposium, the Yang-Tan Institute (YTI) delivered over a dozen breakout sessions that reflected the broad expertise of the institute. The institute also assisted with developing and producing the event.
You Got a Social Security Overpayment Notice. Now What?
Social Security overpayments are often very costly, and they can be complex to address. Experts at the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability have prepared this fact sheet on how to navigate the issue if it happens to you.
Employment of Justice-Impacted Youth with Disabilities
A new policy brief from the Yang-Tan Institute makes six recommendations for policy changes to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated young adults with disabilities in New York state.
The day-long Sept. 27 meeting in King-Shaw Hall at ILR drew state legislative staffers and representatives of the governor’s office and the state Department of Labor. It included presentations from ILR Outreach faculty based in New York City, Ithaca and Buffalo.
Government Intervention Key to Fixing Inequality in Health Care Facilities
Cornell Chronicle
Rosemary Batt ’73, the Alice Cook Professor of Women and Work, has co-authored a policy brief suggesting that U.S. policymakers and regulators rethink the way government finances are allotted to health care facilities.
Edwin “Ed” Baum ’81 and his wife, Holly Wallace, are supporting the New York City High Road initiative by funding stipends, subsidizing housing and providing robust program support.
The second year of High Road NYC ended in late July. Final presentations from 24 fellows brought together their mentors, colleagues, community members, and just about anyone who had made it yet another fruitful summer for the ILR students.
NY at Work Report: Cost of Living Most Critical Issue
Cornell Chronicle
Drawing on expertise, research-based data and policy analysis on a range of issues affecting the state’s workers, unions, communities and employers, the fourth annual New York at Work report is intended to serve as an informative, accessible and relevant resource for policymakers and the public.
The New York City High Road Fellows are lucky. People show up for them in every direction–a testament to the ILR community, the organizations they’re working with, and, it seems, humankind in general.
Counselors Benefit from Disability-Related Training
What do you get when you combine experts in the disability field at the Yang-Tan Institute with vocational rehabilitation counselors in New York state?
Researchers at the Yang-Tan Institute have identified “predictors of success” for high schoolers with autism. These experiences correlate with success in postsecondary education, employment and independent living.
Many Low-Income NYers Rely on Costly Cell Plans for Internet Access
Cornell Chronicle
The number of New York households with high-speed internet has increased, but much of that comes exclusively from cellular plans, which could mean that as many as 1.5 million households remain “underconnected,” according to new research from Russell Weaver.
Matt Saleh, Timothy McNutt and Alex Herazy from ILR's Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative examine the payment of sub-minimum wages to prisoners in New York State and beyond.
Join webinar (5/24): Broadband for All? Mapping and Discussing Progress and Remaining Challenges Across NYS
A virtual discussion on 5/24 from 12-1:30pm to present updates to the Digital Equity Portal and discuss policies, strategic planning efforts and community-based initiatives to identify and close gaps in connectivity across New York state.
NYS Solar Work: Good for Climate, But Are They Good Jobs?
Cornell Chronicle
On April 26, Cornell’s Climate Jobs Institute released “Exploring the Conditions of the New York Solar Workforce,” which surveyed more than 260 solar installation and maintenance workers findings reveal that New York solar construction workers are transient, may not receive benefits, and are subject to racial disparities in pay.
The ILR Buffalo Co-Lab's march report, The Status of Child Care in New York State, was the cornerstone of the Cornell Office of Community Relations’ ninth Regional Town-Gown Conference held April 9 at the Hotel Ithaca.
The Climate Jobs Institute launches a publicly available tool on IRA manufacturing investments in New York State to understand investment impacts on local jobs.
Mapping Construction Apprenticeships in New York State
The Climate Jobs Institute launches tools on joint labor-management apprenticeship training centers in New York, aiming to provide information on training infrastructure throughout the state that can help power the clean energy economy.
New eCornell Certificate Explores Intersection of Climate Change, Labor and Equity
A new certificate being offered by eCornell, in conjunction with the ILR School’s Climate Job Institute, will delve into the critical intersection of climate change, labor and equity, exploring the far-reaching implications of a warming planet on workers, communities and the broader economy.
Climate Jobs Institute's Offshore Wind Webinar Launches New CAROW Series
Cornell ILRs Center for Applied Research on Work (CAROW) kicked off a new webinar series with the Climate Jobs Institute, "The Future of Offshore Wind in New York State: What Will It Take to Build a Large, Vibrant and Equitable Industry?" on February 13, 2024.
Higher NYS Minimum Wage Would Boost Spending, Create Jobs
Cornell Chronicle
Raising New York state’s minimum hourly wage to $21.25, as proposed in the NYS Raise the Wage Act currently before the state Legislature, would help nearly two-thirds of workers earn a living wage, according to data from the Cornell ILR Wage Atlas.
New Report finds New Yorkers want increased investment in child care
On March 8, the ILR Buffalo Co-Lab released “The Status of Child Care Across New York State;” marking the third phase in an action research project on the true cost of child care.
Tompkins County Living Wage Sees an ‘Unprecedented’ Increase
Cornell Chronicle
ILR researchers have calculated the 2023 living wage for Tompkins County - $18.45 per hour - is nearly 10% higher than in 2022, the highest increase in three decades.
