HIA-LI will host its first-ever Long Island Workforce Summit on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, bringing together more than 300 superintendents, guidance counselors, and school administrators alongside leading employers to map a stronger education-to-industry pipeline on Long Island.
The summit will draw on findings from HIA-LI’s Workforce Development Study to identify the skills employers need now and the partnerships required to deliver them. The study was conducted by the Workforce Development Institute in collaboration with HIA-LI and the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency. For a copy of the study, click here.
“This is an unprecedented gathering of educators and employers under the HIA-LI banner to talk about the skills our businesses need and how schools can help young people build great careers here at home,” said Terri Alessi-Miceli, President and CEO of HIA-LI. “The goal is simple: keep more of our graduates on Long Island by connecting them with exciting companies and aligning coursework to real-world demand.”
“Today’s workforce is evolving. Our high school students and young adults need to be made aware of the incredible career paths in manufacturing, healthcare, and the trades,” said Anthony Manetta, President and CEO of Standard Advisors; Babylon Town Councilman; and HIA-LI Board Chair. “As chairman of the HIA-LI, I’m thrilled to be able to help build the bridge between our educators, students, and the business community.”
“As co-chair of HIA-LI’s Workforce Development Task Force, I’ve seen how employers are hungry for both technical proficiency and job-readiness skills,” said Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M architects + engineers. “The study offers a blueprint. Now we’re operationalizing it with educators in the room.”
“Suffolk County Community College exists to meet regional workforce needs,” said Dr. Ed Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College and co-chair of HIA-LI’s Workforce Development Task Force. “Forums like this help us fine-tune certificates, micro-credentials, and degree programs so students gain precisely the skills local employers are asking for.”
“With the growing demand in engineering and manufacturing, coupled with increasing healthcare needs due to our aging population, Long Island industries have such exponential potential for growth, which means good paying jobs,” said Phil Como, Executive Director of the Smithtown Industry Advisory Board. “We need to encourage our students to utilize the affordable educational and training programs right here in the bi-county region so we can keep them here to fill our growing workforce needs.”
“As a former labor leader, I know this summit is exactly what we need to rebuild opportunity from the ground up,” said State Senator Mario R. Mattera. “When local businesses, educators, and trade professionals work together to create jobs, we give our young men and women real skills, good-paying careers, and a reason to stay here on Long Island. Local jobs for local people are how we strengthen families and protect the future of our communities. I thank HIA-LI for bringing all of us together to make that vision a reality.”
Event at-a-glance
What: HIA-LI 2025 Long Island Workforce Summit — “Pipeline: Education-to-Industry: ‘Portrait of a Graduate’”
When: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Registration 8:30; Keynotes 9:00; Panel 9:30; Breakouts 11:15 and 12:15)
Where: Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, 74 Hauppauge Rd, Commack, NY 11725
Visuals/Interviews: Opening remarks, keynotes, industry panel, and breakout rooms available; leaders from HIA-LI, education, healthcare, engineering, construction, and manufacturing on site.
Program Highlights
Opening Remarks
- New York State Senator Mario R. Mattera
Keynote Speakers
- Michael Woods, Director, CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York
- Janine Lalia, LI/NYC Regional Field Associate, CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York
Industry Panel
Moderator: Rich Humann, President & CEO, H2M architects + engineers; HIA-LI Board Member
Panelists:
- Dr. Ed Bonahue, President, Suffolk County Community College; HIA-LI Board Member
- Billy Haugland, II, CEO, Haugland Group
- Robert Kufner, President & CEO, Designatronics, Inc.
- Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, VP & Chief Public and Community Health Officer, Catholic Health
Breakout Sessions
- 2023 HIA-LI Economic Impact Recommendation: Importance of industry-driven educational partnerships (School Industry Advisory Boards: Smithtown IAB, West Islip IAB, Patchogue-Medford IAB, Harborfields IAB)
- Creating Career Opportunities Through SUNY Apprenticeship Programs — Laura Galletta, SUNY Apprenticeship (SCCC)
- Curtiss-Wright: Commercial Aerospace/Defense Electronics/Naval — “Training the Future” — Jim White, Sr. General Manager
- Trade Certification/Degree Programs — Suffolk County Community College (Certification/Degree/Workforce Programs); Dr. Peter J. Dalton, Workforce Development Administrator, Nassau BOCES
Why Now?
HIA-LI’s Workforce Development Study identifies priority skill areas—from foundational software and English proficiency to industry-specific tools like BIM and advanced manufacturing. It outlines strategies to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline, including deeper industry-academia partnerships and clearer career pathways.
Event Partners
- Career Readiness Educators Association
- Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center
- Haugland Group
- People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union
- H2M architects + engineers.
For more information, call (631) 543-5355 or visit www.HIA-LI.org.
ABOUT HIA-LI
Now in its 47th year, HIA-LI is one of Long Island’s largest business advocacy organizations. It also represents the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, the largest industrial park in the Northeast. The park supports 55,000 jobs, produces $13 billion in goods and services each year, and accounts for eight percent of Long Island’s gross domestic product. For more information, go to www.HIA-LI.org.
