Building a Future-Ready Workforce in Westchester: Innovation, Inclusion & Impact with Thom Kleiner

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of I Live Here: Westchester, host Jim Jockle sits down with Thom Kleiner, Executive Director of the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board, for a dynamic conversation on how local initiatives are shaping the future of work across the region.Thom shares the mission of the Workforce Development Board and how strategic partnerships—with community colleges, employers, nonprofits, and even platforms like Indeed—are helping people not only find jobs, but build lasting careers. From training hundreds of residents for in-demand healthcare roles to pioneering clean energy workforce pipelines, Thom discusses the power of collaboration in driving economic opportunity.Highlights include:How workforce training programs like the Healthcare Talent Pipeline and Jobs Waiting have placed hundreds into employmentThe role of AI and virtual career tools in reshaping job search and upskillingPrograms aimed at youth employment and gun violence preventionFocused outreach to underserved communities including those with disabilities and reentry populationsThe growing opportunity in clean energy and the challenge of aligning job seekers, employers, and educatorsThom’s reflections on public service and what gives him hope for the future of work in WestchesterWhether you're a job seeker, employer, policymaker, or simply a neighbor who cares, this episode offers a hopeful and practical look at how workforce development touches every aspect of community life.Learn more: https://www.westchesterputnamonestop.comSupport the showI Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?Email: [email protected]: www.iliveheremedia.comFollow us on Instagram: @iliveheremediaSubscribe, rate, and share to support local storytelling.