Mayor Adams Announces Citywide Action Plan to Build Inclusive Career Pathways for Young People

December 11, 2023

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

"Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success" Outlines Over $600 Million Citywide Plan to Prepare 250,000 Youth for Workforce

New Investments to Support Young People Through Academic Programs, In-Demand Career Trainings for Growing Sectors, Including Tech, and Provide Apprenticeship Opportunities

Part of Mayor Adams' "Working People's Tour," After City Recovered All of Nearly 1 Million Jobs Lost During Pandemic

New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced, "Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success" - a more than $600 million, forward-thinking roadmap to build inclusive pathways for the city's young people to discover their passion, receive hands-on career experience, and, ultimately, enter the workforce. Through comprehensive, collaborative partnerships across the city, state, and federal governments, and multiple other sectors, the action plan will develop the city's future workforce, serving up to 250,000 young people. The action plan and its investments deliver on key commitments made in Mayor Adams' "Working People's Agenda" and Executive Order 22 to provide young New Yorkers with fulfilling careers and financial security, while helping private employers find the best talent. Today's announcement marks another stop on Mayor Adams' "Working People's Tour," as the city enters a new chapter of its economic recovery after regaining all of the private sector jobs it lost during the pandemic, more than a year ahead of schedule.

"Our 'Working People's Tour' is focused on making sure our economy works for all New Yorkers - especially our young people - and helps them find the network, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in an ever-changing world," said Mayor Adams. "New York City's tomorrow depends on what we do for our young people today. That's why this plan brings together all levels of government, multiple city agencies, employers, and partners across various sectors to tell our young people: we are here to help you succeed. From out-of-school and out-of-work youth to high school students who simply want to follow their dreams and everyone in between, this plan is for them - to let them know that New York City is still the place where anything is possible."

"The future of New York City's workforce is brighter because of the investments made today in our young people" said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. "Our administration is determined to meet young people wherever they are along their journey to discovering their passion - whether that is through apprenticeships, career-connected learning, or engaging those who are out of school and out of work. The historic commitment in career pathways for both young people and employer partnerships will shape our workforce for generations to come, ensuring all have a pathway to thrive in our city."

"Our city's future rests on the work we do today to prepare our young people to enter, contribute, and, ultimately, thrive in an ever-changing economy. I'm proud to say that New York City's future is brighter than ever," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. "Today's announcement results from a multi-agency, intragovernmental, public-private, and cross-agency approach with one singular goal in mind: providing every resource possible to help our young people turn their career aspirations into a reality. Right now, the building blocks of New York City's future workforce are being shaped and formed in our CUNY system, in public schools, and through New York City Department of Youth and Community Development programs. Under Mayor Adams' administration, we are making sure that as those young people discover their passion and decide their future, they know that the sky is only the limit."

"Early in the administration, Mayor Eric Adams issued Executive Order 22, which plainly laid out the administration's ambitions for an effective workforce system: one in which the city aligns its education, career preparation, and skills training programs across government and leverages the city's many resources to position New Yorkers for success," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. "The action plan is the roadmap for bringing that ambition to fruition and delivering on this administration's promises to connect a very special constituency - our youth - to opportunities to access, secure, and thrive in family-sustaining careers. This is what follow through looks like."

"It is paramount that we give our young people the bright starts that will lead them to bold futures," said New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks. "The tremendous talent in our city deserves a pathway to success that cultivates that talent. It is an honor to support Mayor Adams in this endeavor to ensure that there is support for our young people as they align passion and purpose to become the next generation of leaders."

"The City University of New York is an engine of social and economic mobility that prepares students for successful careers, but they also need work experience, mentors and connections to employers who are eager to hire them," said City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. "CUNY 2x Tech is a best-in-class model that has propelled many of our tech students to the careers of their dreams. We're thrilled that Mayor Adams is expanding this keystone initiative and look forward to working with New York City business leaders and other essential partners to advance the additional big ideas that this action plan puts forward. Together, we can make sure young people have the opportunities they need to lift themselves and our city."

The core goals in the action plan represent a holistic approach to building sustainable, equitable pathways for New York City's youth to enter the economy and workforce. These five core goals include improving data collections and analytics, re-engaging with out of school and out of work youth, expanding career-connected learning, strengthening early interventions to engage young people as they start their career pathway, and developing strategies to better partner with employers.

Highlights of the plan include:

• A $10 million city investment to expand CUNY 2x Tech to five new campuses and marks the first time the program will serve CUNY's community colleges. Over the next five years, Baruch College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City Tech, Guttman Community College, and LaGuardia Community College will receive funding to continue to develop a high-quality tech talent pipeline by expanding the capacity of CUNY's Computer Science Department and other departments.
• $130 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor Jobs (USDOL) Jobs Corps Program, the nation's largest job training and education program. New York City is the first major city to partner with the USDOL Jobs Corps Program, which offers training in fast-growing industries - all free of charge to participants. The USDOL has selected DB Grant Associates to provide academic and career technical training and Career Systems Development Corporation to provide essential wrap around services at their South Bronx and Brooklyn campuses. Over the next five years, the city will support the Jobs Corps program to train, place, and provide wraparound services to 2,000 young adults into careers.
• $1.7 million from USDOL's Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant for New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to pilot a new electrical pre-apprenticeship for 50 out-of-school and out-of-work young adults, partnering with Commonpoint Queens, LaGuardia Community College, Queensborough Community College, and the Consortium for Worker Education.

"I'm proud to say that our commitment to New York City's young people is unwavering," said Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. "We have made unprecedented investments and launched bold new initiatives to connect education and careers. Our shared responsibility is to help every young New Yorker develop the skills, credentials, and experiences to take full advantage of their talents. Together, we're reimagining and transforming how we position youth, employers, and our city for a brighter future. By creating pathways to employment and professional growth, these initiatives address the immediate needs of young people, ensure employers can tap the talent they need to thrive, and contribute to realizing a stronger, more inclusive New York City."

"DYCD is proud to be a key partner in the creation of the Action Plan and carrying out Mayor Adams' ambitious vision of lifting up all New Yorkers," said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. "The electrical pre-apprenticeship program piloted by DYCD, and our partners, is a powerful example of what is in the plan: bringing together the public and private sectors to break down silos, collaborate, and give young people a life-changing opportunity for career success."

"This action plan amplifies our commitment to fortifying our workforce holistically and thoughtfully as we provide pathways that resonate with our city's youth," said New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. "Our administration continues to employ innovative, forward-thinking approaches that help to unlock true potential, ranging from apprenticeships, internships, fellowships, and targeted job training. As a young person in New York City, you can find hope in knowing that we are laying a foundation for you to aspire, achieve, and grow in the city you love."

"New York City's young people represent the next generation of world-class talent that will ensure New York City remains the 'City of Yes,'" said New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin Kim. "At SBS, we are proud of our 18 New York City Workforce1 Career Centers that have connected tens of thousands of New Yorkers to good jobs since the start of this administration, and this action plan will allow us to take those efforts to the next level."

"This groundbreaking program aligns with the city's steadfast commitment to proactively invest in our youth and promote the enduring economic prosperity of our community," said New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix. "I am enthusiastic about the substantial implications that this program carries for shaping the trajectory of these young professionals. By providing invaluable experiences to apprentices, we are not only cultivating the potential of the next generation, but also fortifying the foundational expertise within our city. This program reflects our dedication to equipping emerging talents with the requisite skills necessary for success in the dynamic landscape of legal practice. Through these efforts, we are poised to cultivate a robust and inclusive workforce, contributing significantly to the prosperity of our collective future."

"Our student apprentices are working alongside and learning from the professionals that operate the city's vast water systems and the information technology platforms that support all of our critical work," said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. "As the city replenishes its workforce, these apprenticeships present pathways to good-paying and secure jobs; these programs are a win-win for all New Yorkers."

"The workforce development programs in place at the New York City Department of Sanitation are part of what make us the strongest - we serve every part of the city, and we come from every part of the city," said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. "Expanding these kinds of proven, successful programs will benefit the people of New York for generations to come."

"New York City is working to expand opportunity and improve outcomes for our young people, and this action plan will help us in that effort," said New York City Administration for Children's Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. "The plan is a win-win, as it will put our young people on the path to success and help ensure New York City's future is bright. Thank you to Mayor Adams for always supporting New York City's next generation of leaders."

Under Mayor Adams' leadership, the city has made historic investments towards young people's career success. Annual city spending on young adult career success programming has increased by 25 percent, totaling over $608 million in Fiscal Year 2024 during the Adams administration. Mayor Adams expanded both Summer Youth Employment and Summer Rising programs to reach a record number of young people. To better serve students in foster care, Mayor Adams and the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) 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. As part of the program, ACS will help pay the remaining costs of college tuition - up to $15,000 each year - in addition to any room and board not covered by a student's financial aid package. College students in foster care also received a $60 daily stipend, which can be used towards food, clothing, transportation, and more.

The city has placed 400 DOE students into apprenticeships since the announcement of a partnership between between DOE, CareerWise New York, and NY Jobs CEO Council, with another cohort to be placed in the remaining half of the school year. Through the help of public-private partnerships, the city has helped hire over 115 high school juniors attending DOE schools as apprentices at more than 20 city agencies. Finally, with DOE and CUNY, the Adams administration worked with Google to expand pipelines to the entire technology sector through FutureReady NYC and CUNY Tech Equity.

"The Biden-Harris administration is committed to investing in America, and that means investing in its young people," said United States Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su. "The partnerships we're announcing today will help young people in New York City connect with the career opportunities they need to create a pathway to a brighter future for themselves and their communities."

"The MTA is thrilled to partner in the electrical pre-apprenticeship program," said Lisette Camilo, MTA, Chief Administrative Officer. "Providing young adults with the training and skills specifically required for Transit Electrical Helper positions increases the potential for long-term career possibilities with the MTA, and we look forward to the opportunity to help shape their futures."

"I applaud Mayor Adams' action plan to develop the city's future workforce by supporting our youth" said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, chair, Social Services Committee. "Investing in young people through academic programs, and in-demand career training provides a direct economic opportunity for young New Yorkers to have financial security."

"New York City has entered a great new economic era by recovering all jobs lost from the pandemic and hitting an all-time employment high," said New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. "I applaud Mayor Adams and all my colleagues who implemented bold agendas that fulfilled the promise of an economic recovery that's truly for all. The action plan will keep our success growing through the next generation with a path for our youth to find their passions, get on-the-job-training, and provide inclusive opportunities so every child can have a bright future."

"Under Mayor Adams' leadership, New York City has recovered all the private sector jobs lost, more than a year earlier than projected," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "Today, we now focus on the workforce of the future, opening up career opportunities for 250,000 young New Yorkers. This new $600 million action plan paves the way for our children to discover their passions and find their dream jobs. They will gain valuable firsthand work experience and set themselves up for rewarding careers. This exciting citywide plan is possible due to our mayor forming an unprecedented coalition of businesses, state government, and federal agencies. I look forward to partnering with Mayor Adams on this new initiative as we empower all New Yorkers to thrive in their careers."

"An opportunity is an entry point to a lifetime of success," said New York State Assemblymember Brian A. Cunningham. "The mayor's Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success plan builds on previous workforce development investments and will ensure that New York youth can access a diverse array of career opportunities."

"Young people face persistent obstacles that hinder their access to city jobs and limit their financial growth," said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez. "This program is a crucial investment that equips job seekers with the skills they need to thrive and contribute to our city's economic prosperity. By investing in young New Yorkers and their potential, we empower them to build fulfilling careers and attain lasting financial stability. This program is a win-win, fostering both individual and economic growth."

"I am very excited to see the announcement of the over 600 million investment in an action plan for young adult career success," said New York City Councilmember Amanda Farias. "As chair of the Committee on Economic Development, I have been focused on our city building out a more equitable economy for all New Yorkers, but especially our young people who are looking to enter the workforce. This is exactly the kind of focus our city needs and that low-income New Yorkers deserve to attain life-long and sustainable careers. Thank you Mayor Adams and the administration for your continued leadership on our city's economic development and creating just job opportunities for our working class communities. I look forward to our continued collaboration on this initiative."

"The action plan intends to consolidate and coordinate the city's historically fragmented approach to workforce development," said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. "This will facilitate the greater engagement of employers in the system and open more career options for prospective employees."

"The New York Jobs CEO Council is proud to partner with New York City to engage employers in workforce development solutions and expand pathways to career," said Kiersten Barnet, executive director, New York Jobs CEO Council. "Through greater alignment among city agencies and our employer network, New York Jobs CEO Council is committed to supporting the city's action plan and equipping New York City's future leaders with the in-demand skills and resources that promote equitable access to industry and launch successful careers."

By subsidizing internships, New York City empowers small businesses like mine to take a chance on these students, ensuring they gain valuable experience rather than opting for necessary, but unrelated summer jobs, said Jason Van Anden, chief executive officer, Quadrant 2. "The Technology Talent Pipeline (TTP) serves as tangible proof—to CUNY students who often call New York City home, to their friends, families, and neighbors–that internships are not exclusive to those who can afford to take the summer off and work for free. Instead, they offer real, hands-on experience that become a source of pride on their resumes."

"The investments outlined in Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success will further galvanize the efforts of educational institutions, employers, workforce development organizations, philanthropy, and government to support a path for young adults marked by opportunity to access and connect to the limitless promise of an inclusive New York City." said Marjorie D. Parker, CEO and president of JobsFirstNYC. "The young adults in New York City deserve this investment in the alignment of our education and workforce development systems. At JobsFirstNYC, we believe that through collaborative efforts, like those outlined in this report, we can pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for the talented youth of New York City. This comprehensive roadmap aligns seamlessly with our mission to empower the workforce of tomorrow."

"We are proud to partner with New York City and the United States Department of Labor to connect young people from low-income backgrounds with the education and training they need for sustainable quality jobs and financial self-sufficiency," said Doug Cotter, CEO, Grant Associates. "By aligning our work with initiatives such as FutureReady NYC, Mayor Adams' Pathways to an Inclusive Economy, and partnering with the DOE and the USDOL, we can provide equitable work-based learning and training opportunities through programs like Job Corps and the Industry Scholars Program that are often life-changing for the city's low-income youth. This partnership is a win for our young people, a win for our city, and a win for innovation."

"Career Systems Development is very pleased to be part of the action plan for young adult career success and I want to thank Mayor Adams for including us," said John Bonosoro, president, Career Systems Development. "As an operator of Job Corps centers for over fifty years, we have been working to break the cycle of poverty for as many young people as possible and we are proud to be the wrap around services provider for both the Brooklyn and South Bronx Job Corps centers."

"Northwell Health is deeply committed to education, and our partnerships across city agencies, in particular with DOE, are a key lever of our strategic plan," said Jason Naidich, MD, senior vice president, chief learning & innovation officer, Northwell Health. "We do this because we know that building a strong, diverse, and talented pipeline makes sense for us and for the city as a whole."

"The success of the career readiness programs is rooted in the deep commitments and partnerships across DOE, CUNY and DYCD," said William Floyd, senior director, government affairs & public policy, Google. "Their collaboration provides clear pathways and removes obstacles, decreasing the likelihood of falling off track navigating between systems. Google is proud to support not just one organization or agency in building the talent of tomorrow, but the entire ecosystem."

"We're revolutionizing youth apprenticeship," said Noel Ginsburg, founder and CEO, CareerWise. "It takes an entire ecosystem to modernize private and public systems, and the partnership with the DOE, Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development, New York Jobs CEO Council, Year Up, and Big Picture Learning is multiplying the career-path options for the young people of New York City through work-based learning."

"It is our mission to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, and this USDOL-funded training program for out-of-school and out-of-work young adults will help us provide critical resources that lead to meaningful and life-changing employment opportunities for traditionally underserved populations in our borough," said Danielle Ellman, CEO, Commonpoint Queens. "As a human services agency, we feel strongly that it is our responsibility to ensure that all community members have access to meaningful employment opportunities, and we are so grateful and excited for this partnership with trusted and reliable community staples like DYCD, LaGuardia Community College, Queensborough Community College, Consortium for Worker Education, and the MTA."

"The CUNY 2x Tech Grant provides Guttman Community College the opportunity to continue building our workforce programming," said Dr. Larry Johnson, president, Guttman Community College. "Through the Career Innovation Hub, Guttman plans to provide skilled talent to meet the growing workforce needs in New York City. As a campus of the CUNY system, Guttman joins its sister college recipients in bolstering the goals of CUNY Lifting New York in becoming the engine of upward mobility and advancement for all residents of New York City and New York State."

"Long recognized as one of the most diverse colleges in the nation, Baruch will use the funds from the CUNY 2x Tech grant to enhance the connections between classroom and experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for professional success following graduation," said Dr. Nanda Kumar, professor and chair, Paul H. Chook Department of Information Systems and Statistics, Baruch College. "This grant is particularly timely as the department of information systems and statistics is home to some of the fastest growing majors at Baruch - our diverse graduates will use the rich experiences fostered by this award to advance innovation in one of the most emerging and critical sectors in New York City's economy."

"Through the enhanced internship preparation activities, such as industry-related boot camps, tech talks and mentorship, and student advisement, including mock interviews and resume writing workshops, students are equipped with technical skills and soft skills to be placed in internships," said Ching-Song (Don) Wei, chair, Computer Science Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College. "In terms of curriculum enhancement, through the engagement of industry professionals, the required industry skills will be infused into the course contents and instructional material to prepare the students well for the internships."

"Mayor Adams' expansion of CUNY 2X Tech to include community colleges is key to building a truly diverse tech talent pipeline for New York City," said Kenneth Adams, president, LaGuardia Community College.  "LaGuardia is the third leading producer of STEM graduate in CUNY, following CCNY and CityTech.  "Thanks to the mayor's commitment to CUNY 2X Tech, LaGuardia's computer science students will be able to benefit from the specialized academic support, faculty development, and career advising provided by this high-impact initiative," he added. "In addition, CUNY 2X Tech will increase our students' ability to get internships that help them recognize themselves and imagine their futures as emerging tech professionals."

"Queensborough Community College is excited to partner with the U.S. Department of Labor to give young adults who are currently not in school access to training that will qualify them for employment with the MTA," said Queensborough President Christine Mangino. "It's a huge win for prospective students when we can offer programs and training that align with current workforce needs."

"City Tech's CUNY 2x Tech program will support nearly 2,000 students from the Computer Systems Technology department majoring in Computer Information Systems, Computer Systems Technology, and Data Science," said Pamela Brown, provost and vice president, academic affairs, City Tech. "With a hands-on approach, these majors prepare students for careers in emerging information technologies, with applications in business, science, technology, and other fields. Career exploration and readiness will be integrated throughout the curriculum in all our majors, with the support of newly hired faculty and academic/career advisors with relevant industrial experience. We will also expand upon existing collaborations such as the NYC CEO Jobs Council apprenticeship program and utilize college resources such as tutoring, mentoring, and the Student Success and Professional Development Centers, to ensure academic success. Our Computer Systems Technology students reflect the rich tapestry of New York City, and we are proud of the contributions our graduates make to the diversity of the New York City workforce."

"This bold investment in New York City's young people and in our talent of tomorrow is to be commended," said Maria Flynn, president and CEO, Jobs for the Future. "Mayor Adams' new action plan should serve as a model and inspiration for city leaders nationwide to recognize the power of a multi-sector approach to creating education to career pathways that help close equity gaps and increase economic opportunity. Plans like this to launch young people on a strong, well-compensated career journey that blends work and learning, and prepares them for the next generation of jobs, is exactly what this country needs."

"By far, the largest segment of New Yorkers supported by our over 220 provider organizations are young adults who experienced staggering job losses due to the pandemic," Gregory J Morris, CEO, New York City Employment and Training Coalition. "This administration's investment in sustainable career pathways for our city's youth is a meaningful response to what is both an urgent need to provide access to opportunity and a commitment to reducing systemic barriers to success. The linkage of economic development and workforce development is essential to New York City's stability and growth, and we will continue to champion every effort to position young people to thrive in new industries and growing sectors. Our collective commitment to education and job training, supportive services and career development is the way forward. We applaud Mayor Adams for elevating and advancing the interests of our city's youth as they prepare for success in a 'new' New York."

"PENCIL welcomes the release of Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success. Unless we collectively change how young people in New York City are educated in direct connection to career planning, the city will perpetuate current labor statistics where New Yorkers, especially Black and Brown people, are grossly underrepresented as a percentage of employees in high wage jobs," said Gregg Betheil, CEO, PENCIL "PENCIL is proud to continue to partner with the Adams administration and New York City employers  to ensure students have equitable access to the bold futures they are promised. PENCIL is already seeing our existing summer employment and school year business partnerships as the catalyst to deeply embed career pathways into the fabric of New York City schools and businesses. We look forward to further scaling opportunities to connect more students to success."