A task force examined New York State's role in providing resources and information to employers desiring to upgrade the skills of their current workers. The following were the task force's 12 major findings: (1) upgrading the skills of New York's existing work force is vital to the state's economic future; (2) all workers need opportunities for training and retraining; (3) State policy and investments in upgrading skills should help discourage low wage strategies for economic competitiveness; (4) the state must encourage employer investment in current workers's skills; (5) the current level of knowledge about world class work organizations and worker skills is inadequate; (6) the state has a shared responsibility with employers, labor unions, and workers to develop those skills that could lead to higher work force productivity and performance; (7) few employers have made skill upgrading a priority; (8) encouraging employers and workers to adopt higher skill levels will have long-term benefits for the state's economy; (9) New York should take steps to ensure that a comprehensive network of services is in place and easily accessible; (10) an objective set of standards based on workplace competencies will ensure consistent service delivery; (11) New York's existing programs for funding skill upgrade training should be expanded and redirected; and (12) a range of funding options and incentives is needed. (The bibliography contains 21 references. Appended are descriptions of 16 Department of Economic Development programs and 28 recommendations for state actions regarding job training.) (MN)