Rockland’s Workforce

Rockland County offers a highly educated, skilled and diversified workforce. Rockland also provides a spectrum of services and support to assist businesses with their workforce needs.

Rockland County offers a highly educated, skilled and diversified workforce. Rockland also provides a spectrum of services and support to assist businesses with their workforce needs.

From job placement and course offerings that provide stackable pathways to careers, to opportunities for networking and mentorship, Rockland County is positioned to assist with a holistic approach to your workforce needs.

SNAPSHOT OF ROCKLAND COUNTY’S WORKFORCE *:

Civilian Labor Force (percent of population age 16+): 63.9%

Total Employer Establishments: 10,348

Top Industry Sectors by Employment:

  • Healthcare and Social Assistance: 27.19%
  • Retail Trade: 11.3%
  • Accommodations and Food Services: 7.8%
  • Construction: 6.36%
  • Manufacturing: 6.14%

*Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2020.

Top Degrees Conferred by Institutions of Higher Education in Rockland*:

    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
    • Health Professions and Related Programs
  • Business Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
  • Education
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services

*Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System 2021.

Rockland County presents a unified front for businesses through its various partnerships and collaborations with local organizations including the following:

Rockland Community College Workforce Development

Rockland Community College 145 College Road Brucker Hall, Room 6102 Suffern, NY 10901

Rockland Community College’s Economic Mobility and Workforce Innovation Division designs courses and programs with flexible schedules, small class numbers, and reasonably priced tuition to meet the requirements of working adults.

Rockland Works!

BOCES Educational Resource Center (BERC) 131 N. Midland Avenue Nyack, NY 10960

Rockland Works is a grant-funded program offered in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Rockland County (WDBRC). Rockland Works is the county’s one-stop employment and training resource, supporting both the employment and training needs of job seekers and the staffing needs of local employers. Located at the BOCES Educational Resource Center (BERC) in Nyack, all services are provided free of charge.

Workforce Development Board of Rockland County

14 Liberty Square Mall Stony Point, NY 10980

The Workforce Development Board of Rockland County (WDBRC) is a volunteer body responsible for policy guidance and oversight of workforce development in Rockland County. WDBRC directs federal, state, and local funding to programs for adults, dislocated workers and youth to help them acquire the skills employers want and help employers access the talent pool they need to compete and win in a global economy.

Supporting People with Disabilities in the Workforce

There are many benefits for businesses that hire people with disabilities. These include improvements in job retention; dependability and flexibility; attitude; profitability and a competitive advantage. Businesses that hire workers with disabilities may also be eligible for various state and federal tax incentives.

According to the Job Accommodation Network, the median cost to employers for providing accommodations for employees with disabilities is just $300 (one-time), and many accommodations are lower cost or even free. Hiring qualified workers of all abilities just makes good business sense!

For more information, please see the resources listed below.

ACCES-VR

Pascack Plaza 15 Perlman Drive, 2nd Floor Spring Valley, NY 10977

ACCES-VR helps 13,000 individuals annually to find jobs. ACCES-VR partners with workforce development groups, Chambers of Commerce, and human resource groups to stay abreast of local business trends and your hiring needs.

ACCES-VR can assist businesses with the following:

  • Financial incentives and tax credits
  • No-cost employment services
  • Pre-screened job-ready applicants
  • Ongoing follow-up services
  • Job coaching to help workers meet the requirements of the job
  • Consultation, recommendations and training for retention of current employees who acquire a disability

BRIDGES

2290 Palisades Center Drive West Nyack, NY 10994

BRIDGES was founded in 1987 under the name Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC). BRIDGES is a community-based, peer-driven, cross-disability, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocacy and leadership on behalf of people with disabilities.

REMOVING BARRIERS, ADVANCING AUTONOMY

  • BRIDGES helps people with disabilities to self-determine their own lives and works to overcome barriers, stigma, indifference, and the quiet prejudice of low expectations.
  • BRIDGES helps businesses to employ people with disabilities, increase access to their facility, and enhance their community profile.
  • BRIDGES raises disability awareness and advocates for programs, services, and legislation that promote fairness and equality.
  • BRIDGES works with individuals and educational systems to maximize learning and to ensure effective accommodation standards.

Northeast ADA Center

201 Dolgen Hall Ithaca, NY 14853

The Northeast ADA Center is a member of the ADA National Network, which is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.

The ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on implementation of all aspects of the ADA. Located at the Yang-Tan Institute in the ILR School at Cornell University, the ADA Center’s staff consists of individuals with and without disabilities who have extensive experience in the disability field.

The Northeast ADA Center also provides information and resources to assist small business in successfully hiring and retaining people with disabilities through its Small Business At Work Toolkit.

Rockland County Office for People with Disabilities

50 Sanatorium Road Building A, 6th Floor Pomona, NY 10970

The mission of the Rockland County Office for People with Disabilities (RCOPWD) is to provide information, resources, and advocacy, and to promote independence and well-being for Rockland County residents with disabilities.