Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos Announce Expansion of Paid Internships and Career-Connected Skill Building for High School Students

December 2, 2024

Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHgzZVLa3B0

FutureReadyNYC, Adams Administration's Signature Mentorship-Career Program, Expanding to Now Reach 15,000 Students

New 'Pathways' in HVAC and Decarbonization and Human and Social Services Added to Established Offerings in Technology, Health Care, Education, Business, and Finance

New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today announced the expansion of FutureReadyNYC, the Adams administration's signature initiative that sets students on a path to economic security through career-connected mentorships. The expansion brings the program to 36 additional schools, for a total of 135 schools served, and introduces two new career pathways in the professions of heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and decarbonization, as well as human and social services. These new sector pathways will give students the opportunity to explore 21st century careers through industry-aligned coursework and work-based learning while expanding these vital opportunities to more students.

"Education must prepare our young people for the 21st century economy by helping them learn the skills they need to succeed," said Mayor Adams. "That is why we launched FutureReadyNYC in 2022, our signature program that connects students to rigorous, tailored coursework, real job credentials, paid work-based learning, and puts them on a pathway to good-paying careers. Today's announcement expands this opportunity by adding even more pathways, such as HVAC and decarbonization, as well as human and social services. It also increases access to a total of 135 schools across the city, allowing us to reach 15,000 students who will now have a chance to get experience in these critical fields. This is part of our administration's continued commitment to developing talent, and we thank our school and external partners for helping us achieve this mission."

"Through the expansion of FutureReadyNYC, we are taking bold steps to ensure that every student in New York City has access to the skills, experiences, and mentorship they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce," said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. "By introducing pathways in HVAC and decarbonization and human and social services, we're not just preparing our students for jobs, we're empowering them to lead in the industries that will define the future of our city. Together, with Mayor Adams and our incredible partners, we are building a brighter, more equitable future for all New Yorkers."

"CUNY is pleased to partner with Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos, and the city's business and nonprofit leaders and ensure that talented New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds are prepared to travel newly opening pathways to prosperous careers," said The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. "The sustained expansion of FutureReadyNYC is helping New York City build an economy that is truly inclusive and providing more opportunities for New Yorkers to thrive."

"FutureReadyNYC surpasses all past efforts to engage the city's employers in programs that prepare public school students for great careers," said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. "Its programs are helping to ensure that students are exposed to the infinite range of jobs with good wages and benefits that are open to them in the city and beyond."

Launched in alongside anchor partners, CUNY, State University of New York, Northwell Health, and Google in 2023, FutureReadyNYC offers high school students real world experiences, including career connected instruction, early college credit and credentials, advising, financial literacy, and work-based learning, including at least one paid experience before students graduate. This expansion is made possible by Mayor Adams' investment of $53 million in programs to support career-readiness through the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which includes more than $30 million in direct investments in schools, representing one of the largest commitments ever made by the city in preparing students for strong careers.

Thew newly available HVAC and decarbonization pathway will create a diverse pipeline of talent that will bolster New York City's larger effort to be a global leader in climate action and sustainability as the city expects to host 230,000 "green-economy jobs" by 2030. The course sequences under the HVAC and decarbonization Pathway include construction safety, electrical and mechanical applications, installation and maintenance, and building decarbonization. Acting on Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos' commitment to promoting a culture of wellness, the human and social services pathway will include courses in human growth and development, counseling and mental health, and advanced placement psychology.

This announcement marks the latest effort by the Adams administration to reimagine the student experience by facilitating career-connected learning. Under Mayor Adams' leadership, the city has made historic investments towards young people's career success. In 2023, Mayor Adams announced a $600 million young adult action plan, "Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An action Plan for Young Adult Career Success," which has a specific focus on addressing decades of employment disparities with strategies to create programs that embed career readiness, work-based learning, and apprenticeships in their design. The Adams administration has also expanded both Summer Youth Employment and Summer Rising programs to reach a record number of over 100,000 young people, and through the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship program with New York City Jobs Council and CareerWise New York, the city has placed over 500 New York City Public School students in apprenticeships. In Fiscal Year 2024, the city also funded over 11,000 internships or apprenticeships for high school students during the academic year, both through New York City Public Schools and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development's Work, Learn and Grow program.

Additionally, to better serve students in foster care, Mayor Adams and the New York City Administration for Children's Services created College Choice, a program to provide college students in foster care with greater support systems, including financial support, so they can attend the college of their dreams without having to worry about the hefty price tag.

Finally, recently, Mayor Adams announced a $12 million expansion of the CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative, a successful program to create college-to-career pipelines for CUNY students. The city also funded over 2,000 college students through CUNY Career Launch, Cultural Corps, and internships within the city.

"In a city where 12 percent of young adults are neither in school nor employed, we must open the door to economic opportunity, especially for our Black and Hispanic students," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "Our groundbreaking FutureReadyNYC program provides students with valuable vocational education and mentorship, setting them on the path to meaningful careers. Today we build upon the success, expanding the career offerings to include HVAC and Decarbonization, and Human and Social Services. We are also adding 15,000 more seats and 35 more schools to the program. Through our work, we will ensure all 287,000 high school students graduate ready to excel in their chosen fields."

"Career-connected learning is critical to ensuring New York City students are set up for financial success in life," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "Today's expansion of FutureReadyNYC will enable more than 15,000 students to access work experience and mentorship in growing industries, ensuring they will be competitive members of our workforce. Programs like these help close wealth gaps and build brighter futures. Thank you to Mayor Adams and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos for championing FutureReadyNYC and supporting young New Yorkers."

"As a forever educator and lifelong advocate for equitable education, I am thrilled to see the expansion of FutureReadyNYC," said New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph. "This initiative is a game-changer for our students, providing them with hands-on, career-connected learning opportunities that prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. The addition of pathways in HVAC, as well as Human and Social Services, reflects the importance of equipping our youth with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. This expansion is a step in the right direction to ensure more young New Yorkers can access these vital opportunities." 

"Expanding career-connected learning programs like FutureReadyNYC is essential for preparing our students for the opportunities of tomorrow," said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. "By introducing new pathways in HVAC, decarbonization, and human and social services, we are equipping young New Yorkers with the skills and experience to thrive in high-demand industries. I commend the Administration for their commitment to creating brighter futures for our students and strengthening the economic foundation of our communities."