The JobsFirstNYC Policy Committee recently convened with the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development to learn about innovative approaches designed to broaden and enhance inclusive, diverse, and equitable career pathways for young adults in New York City. The forum highlighted The City’s commitment to fostering career opportunities and invited feedback on Mayor Adams’ ambitious plan to secure 30,000 apprenticeships by the end of 2030.

A Fresh Approach to Catalyze the Workforce Development Field

Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, provided an insightful synopsis of the City’s long-term plan for workforce development. She emphasized the agency’s mission “to leverage the City’s resources and work with organizations across the city to ensure that young people are successful.” Sigal updated attendees about the evolving Job Ready NYC digital platform, designed to help New Yorkers find the programs they need to take the next step in their career. She also shared early information about the Green Economy Action Plan, aiming to propel the City’s workforce into a green and sustainable future. According to Sigal, this strategic partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and others, focuses on providing diverse pathways to economic opportunity in key industries such as IT, healthcare, and finance. 

The Apprenticeship Accelerator: An Updated Workforce Solution

Ismail Ocasio, Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Accelerator at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, then delved into the recently announced Apprenticeship Accelerator. This comprehensive apprenticeship initiative is based on The New York City Apprenticeship Landscape Report and aims to track various forms of apprenticeships, from youth to adults in the workforce. Ocasio emphasized the Accelerator’s role as an exemplary model poised to offer crucial support for the growth of diverse apprenticeship programs embraced by employers, training providers, educational institutions, and labor unions.

The Apprenticeship Accelerator is built on a foundation of best practices, addressing crucial areas such as career paths, opportunities, salaries, training, duration, and apprenticeship support. Ocasio pointed out that the Office of Talent and Workforce Development has set clear thresholds to guide organizations in fostering successful apprenticeship programs.

Ideas, Challenges, and Opportunities

In order to enhance understanding and respond to inquiries, the session incorporated an interactive segment and a specific question-and-answer portion. Participants also took the opportunity to express their thoughts, address concerns, and contribute ideas for refining the apprenticeship strategy within the context of prevailing workforce trends.

“Apprenticeships offer a practical and equitable solution to the opportunity gap for young people navigating multiple barriers to employment, especially those involved with the justice system. It is critical that we develop tangible ways for these individuals to earn a living wage and gain the economic mobility needed to break free from the crippling cycle of poverty. The young adults we work with at STRIVE New York are hungry for this type of opportunity, and I’m excited to dive in with JobsFirstNYC and the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development to generate real and transformative change for this and future generations,” said Ayesha George, Executive Director of STRIVE New York, an organization working to remove societal barriers to life-changing career opportunities.

JobsFirstNYC policy committee members actively discussed ways their organizations could contribute to expanding apprenticeships, explored the greatest areas for potential expansion, and identified the challenges and barriers that must be overcome. The session sought input on necessary policies and support structures to meet the planned goals. Attendees were encouraged to stay engaged and participate in the ongoing dialogue to shape the future of workforce development in the City.

Reflections

Chris Dowling, the Director of Community Engagement at A Chance in Life, emphasized the significance of the meeting, saying “Excellent meeting learning what the city has up its sleeve on workforce development!” 

Staying on Task

To conclude the meeting, JobsFirstNYC’s Roman Jackson reiterated that “New York City’s future vitality lies in fostering multi-stakeholder discussions on workforce development policies. By uniting diverse voices, we amplify the potential and prosperity of our young adults, ensuring that our policies reflect the inclusivity and dynamism that define the heartbeat of this great city.” 

Recognizing the importance of collaboration and partnership between the public and private sectors, educational institutions, and community organizations to maximize the success of young adult-focused programs, the JobsFirstNYC Policy Committee is committed to fostering robust and meaningful conversations surrounding the future of New York City’s young people. Mayor Adams’ bold vision for 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030 and the strategic initiatives outlined for the Job Ready NYC platform and the Apprenticeship Accelerator are steps towards building a resilient and dynamic workforce that will be closely watched. Charting a course towards sustainable and equitable initiatives serves as a blueprint for other urban centers looking to invest in the potential of their youth for a brighter future.

About the JobsFirst Policy Committee

The JobsFirstNYC Policy Committee is an ad-hoc committee comprising of workforce development practitioners from the private, public, and philanthropic communities with the goal of identifying and promoting opportunities to shape public perception and raise awareness of strategies that enhance systems that support out of school, out of work young adults in New York City. The Committee provides expert input to assist JobsFirstNYC’s Policy Solutions team in determining and advancing its strategic advocacy objectives. To learn more, contact Roman Jackson at rjackson@jobsfirstnyc.org