Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks, Chancellor Matos-Rodriguez Announce Expansion of FutureReadyNYC and CUNY Tech Equity Initiative, Partnership With Google To Create Equitable Pipelines Into Tech Sector

June 21, 2023

Wacth the video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnisPPS9vS4

Google Will Serve as First Tech-Anchor Partner for Expanded Cohort of FutureReadyNYC Schools and CUNY Tech Equity

Adams Administration to Invest $19 Million Impacting 100 FutureReadyNYC High Schools

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks, and The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodriguez today announced a historic expansion of technology-career pipelines for New York City students, including through major commitments from tech giant Google. DOE and CUNY will partner with Google as the first tech-anchor employer partner for the FutureReadyNYC initiative, providing meaningful career-connected learning opportunities, including career discovery programming, paid work-based learning experiences, and mentorship from tech professionals. FutureReadyNYC is part of the DOE’s larger Student Pathways Initiative that works with employer partners to connect students to high-growth careers, with a goal of ensuring students have access to work experience and an early college credit or credential that sets them up for economically secure futures. The announcement comes alongside a new $19 million investment for 100 FutureReadyNYC high schools. Google will also serve as an inaugural partner for the CUNY Tech Equity initiative, which will expand tech-focused career awareness from the first day on campus, advance curriculum innovation, increase the number of paid internships, and grow employer engagement with campuses.

“Education must prepare our young people for the future, and help our students learn the skills they need to succeed,” said Mayor Adams. “Along with the Department of Education and CUNY, we are building a pipeline to jobs in the tech sector, and we are thrilled that Google will serve as our first tech-anchor employer partner for our schools’ FutureReadyNYC initiative. This partnership represents a win for our young people, a win for our city, and a win for innovation.”

“It is my honor to stand alongside leaders in the private sector to bring unique career connected learning opportunities to our students in partnership with world-class organizations like Google,” said DOE Chancellor Banks. “There is tremendous talent in our public schools, and this vital work allows us to mold the next generation of professional leaders that will revolutionize not just our city, but our country as well.”

“Google understands the importance of investing in public education to give students exposure to technology and hands-on opportunities, so they are ready to meet the demands of the changing workforce," said CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “This partnership will leverage the enormous potential of CUNY students, who will gain sought-after skills and the tools they need to build fulfilling and lucrative careers after graduation. Many thanks to Google and our other industry partners for recognizing the importance of meeting the workforce challenges of this growing sector while supporting CUNY as the engine of economic mobility for students, and allowing students to create bright and rewarding futures." 

“The Pathways to an Inclusive Economy report reflects the expertise and care of its contributors and charts a clear path toward a more equitable, strategic approach to talent development in New York City, said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I am pleased to be a part of its creation and look forward to the work ahead and to building a network of tools, capital, and supports that will empower more New Yorkers to access upwardly mobile careers.”

As part of their commitment to FutureReadyNYC, Google is offering its Data Analytics Certificate program to help students prepare for jobs in one of the nation's fastest growing fields, and will provide teacher training for the 2023-2024 school year. Google will also serve as an inaugural partner for the CUNY Tech Equity initiative, which will expand tech-focused career awareness from the first day on campus, advance curriculum innovation, increase the number of paid internships, and grow employer engagement with campuses. Google’s leadership will serve on the industry advisory commission to ensure that curriculum meets industry standards.

FutureReadyNYC is an example of the Adams administration’s ‘Pathways to an Inclusive Economy,’ blueprint in action. The blueprint — also released today — aims at enhancing talent development, job training, and employment services in the city. The blueprint, developed by the Future of Workers Task Force — established by Mayor Adams in Executive Order 22 last summer — focuses on five core strategies to advance an employer-driven workforce training system, prepare New Yorkers for long-term career success, and ensure New York City’s employers can tap the talent they need. One of the core strategies, reflected in today’s announcement, involves expanding the public and private partnerships needed to achieve citywide talent and workforce objectives through an empowered and reconstituted New York City Workforce Development Board. The blueprint also emphasizes increasing the access and availability of apprenticeships, launching a public/private talent investment fund, defining shared impact metrics to monitor performance, and improving the user experience for employers engaging with public workforce services. Mayor Adams has already made significant investments in career readiness and employment programs since taking office, including expanding the Summer Youth Employment Program; providing $33 million to support career pathways in public schools; and launching initiatives to promote workplace accessibility, tech careers, and nursing education.

Interested employers that want to participate in FutureReadyNYC can find out more by contacting FutureReadyNYC@schools.nyc.gov and TechEquity@cuny.edu.

“In 2022, Google launched the Tech Opportunity Fund with the belief that good-paying tech jobs should be within reach of all New Yorkers,” said William Floyd, senior director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google. “And we all know that goal requires both public sector and private sector focus and investment in our K-12 and CUNY students. Google is proud to partner with Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks, and Chancellor Matos Rodriguez on meaningful learning experiences such as FutureReadyNYC.”

“Our city’s future success and competitiveness depends on the diverse talents of all New Yorkers,” said Abby Jo Sigal, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “FutureReadyNYC’s expansion to 100 high schools and partnership with Google to help build tech career pathways for New York City students represents institutional infrastructure needed to fully tap our local talent base so that every New Yorker can contribute to and benefit from an inclusive, thriving economy.” 

“Google has been an essential partner in bringing our public education system into the digital age,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “With this investment, Google is leading the effort to ensure that the city’s youth will be well prepared to pursue careers in our growing tech sector.” 

“The city’s new approach to employer partnerships is one we have not seen before – and what’s needed to advance career readiness in youth and strengthen our future workforce,” said Kiersten Barnet, executive director, NY Jobs Council. “The Jobs Council is excited about this new partnership with Google that will expand the reach of FutureReadyNYC and scale career-connected learning in our public schools. This new collaboration demonstrates how educators and employers are coming together to meet the needs of the evolving tech talent demand.”

“New York City’s school leaders know how vital it is to provide our students with career-focused learning opportunities, particularly forward-looking curriculum that inspires them to develop real-world skills in expanding fields,” said Henry Rubio, president, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators. “We thank the city for this increased investment in our FutureReadyNYC high schools, and we applaud Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks, Chancellor Matos Rodriguez, and Google for this innovative partnership. CSA looks forward to collaborating on the implementation and expansion of this initiative so that all students have access to programs that prepare them to reach their highest potential.” 

“New York has a rich history of welcoming migrants and this Asylum Application Help Center is a crucial step to guide asylum seekers towards stability, work authorization and new opportunities in this country,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “This center will help provide asylum seekers with much-needed legal support to complete asylum applications and bring them closer to work authorization and the ability to support themselves. I will continue to work hard to support asylum seekers, ease barriers to work authorization, ensure access to legal services, and pass comprehensive immigration reform.”

“Providing New York’s students with opportunities to enter into the tech field at a young age and gain mentorship from experienced tech professionals has the potential to change countless lives for the better,” said New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola. “This is a field that many New Yorkers may have felt shut out entirely from in the past, but with this investment and the programs it brings, we can show the next generation of New Yorkers that they don’t need to travel to Silicon Valley to find a high-growth opportunity in this field. We can provide high-quality, secure tech jobs right here within the five boroughs, and we can staff those jobs with ambitious young New Yorkers looking to grow and better themselves and their economic standings.”

“Investing in FutureReadyNYC is essential to achieve our citywide talent and workforce goals,” said New York City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz. “This collaboration will benefit thousands of students in New York City and is a significant step towards creating an education system that recognizes the diverse talents of our students and does not just rely on their ability to take a single, high-stakes exam. I applaud the mayor, CUNY, and the DOE's advancement of public and private partnerships to achieve our citywide talent and workforce objectives.”

"Expanding FutureReadyNYC demonstrates that New York City is serious about pursuing job training and talent development while maintaining a strong focus on social equity,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Menin. “By partnering with a leading technology company, we are offering New York City students impactful learning opportunities that will lead to valuable careers in a rapidly growing sector of the City’s economy. Every New York City neighborhood will now have another avenue to excel in this burgeoning industry.”

“The modern economy is highly focused on technology, so we must ensure that all of our kids are ready to pursue technology careers if they so choose,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This partnership with Google will help ensure all New York City students have equitable access to the resources they need to succeed in the tech economy. This pathway to prosperity must be accessible to all of your youth, regardless of their ZIP code or socioeconomic status.”

"Investments in our students are investments in our future,” said New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “Today's expansion of FutureReadyNYC will equip young New Yorkers with the skills and experiences they need to succeed in the digital age, open doors of opportunity for our students, and better prepare our city for the uncertain future of technological advancements. I applaud Mayor Adams, DOE Chancellor Banks, CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodriguez, and the team at Google for spearheading this important initiative."

“I’m pleased that Mayor Eric Adams is releasing $19 million in funding for the FutureReadyNYC partnership to create equitable pipelines from high schools into the tech sector,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “This initiative will further develop public-private partnerships and increase the availability of apprenticeships for our youth. Funding for youth initiatives and an expansion of SYEP is one of my top priorities as the Chairperson of the Senate’s Social Services Committee, and I look forward to working with Mayor Eric Adams and partners to widen this opportunity to more youth seeking careers in the field of technology and others”.  

“Google has partnered with the Department of Education and The City University of New York to provide an expansion of the technological career opportunities available to New York City students,” said New York Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman. “This innovative pathway in education will enhance talent development, job training, and employment services in the city while ensuring all curriculum meets industry standards for students. New York City students will benefit from being exposed to tech-focused, high-growth careers early on in their education journey.” 

"New York City is equitably boosting our youth's success through public education in the booming technology sector, and we're building bridges to cutting-edge careers through this significant partnership with Google," said New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. "I'm confident the ongoing success of FutureReadyNYC will exceptionally expand by securing Google as the first tech-anchor employer partner. Our children are truly ready for the future through these meaningful career-connected learning opportunities, and I applaud New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks, and The City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodriguez for securing this partnership along with a multi-million-dollar investment."

“The expansion of FutureReadyNYC is truly historic,” said New York State Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr.  "Far too often, students in my community and across New York find themselves in limbo as they search desperately for professional growth opportunities. The DOE and CUNY’s partnership with Google will ensure that our educational system provides a stable and forward-looking foundation for our students to grow. I applaud today’s announcement by Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks as we build upon our commitment to ensure the brightest possible future for all New Yorkers."

“The mayor's partnership with Google unleashes the potential and genius of a young workforce in the tech sector,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “A young person from my South Queens district would be able to directly connect with Google and gain the tools to thrive in technology fields. The pipelines to tech created by FutureReadyNYC will keep New York City globally competitive in the growing technology market.  I enthusiastically support this exciting partnership between the City of New York and Google, which will open up the doors of opportunity for students from historically disadvantaged communities who would otherwise not have exposure to the tech sector.”

“As the first Democratic elected official in the State with a computer science degree, I am proud to see the city extending opportunities for New Yorkers to get started in tech,” said New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores “The CUNY Tech Equity Initiative could be a game changer for students; I am proud of the vision shown by the Mayor, the DOE Chancellor, CUNY Chancellor, and for Google’s partnership in delivering these programs.” 

“The FutureReadyNYC initiative will create a pipeline to train overlooked talent in underserved communities and connect them with job opportunities available in the industry,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez. “This program will not only provide access to good-paying jobs with some of the biggest and best tech companies, as well as diversify the talent pool for potential employers, but it will arm our future workforce with the necessary tools to thrive within the technology industry.”

"Career pipelines are how we ensure the next generation has the opportunity to access good-paying and steady jobs, said New York City Councilmember Amanda Farias. “FutureReadyNYC is a perfect example of this, connecting 100 schools and thousands more students to high-growth careers that set them up for economically-secure futures and in turn break generational cycles of poverty. Google may be our city’s first tech-anchor employer partner for this initiative, but I know they will not be the last. I look forward to working with Mayor Adams, DOE, and CUNY to continue demonstrating the incredible talent we have here in New York City and how we can create more equitable pipelines like FutureReadyNYC. "