– To mark National Apprenticeship Week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city has delivered more than 15,000 apprenticeship opportunities in less than three years — more than halfway to the administration’s moonshot goal of creating 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030. The commitment was first laid out in Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City address and, with this milestone, the city is well ahead of schedule.
“The future of New York City’s workforce is brighter because of the millions of dollars in investments we are making to ensure our young people have training for permanent employment,” said Mayor Adams. “Our mission is to make New York City a safer, more affordable city, and through expanding job opportunities, we are doing just that. These apprenticeships offer on-the-job training with employment opportunities in high-demand careers, and they create a pipeline of talent for employers who are investing in our communities. We are eager to welcome these apprentices into our workforce, and together, we will continue to build a strong and vibrant New York City economy.”
“This administration has made good on its promise to increase apprenticeship opportunities, and this milestone is a testament to the hard work of our public- and private-sector employers,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “The range of apprenticeship opportunities ensures that New Yorkers of all backgrounds can access meaningful employment opportunities that tap into their diverse experiences and interests.”
“The Adams administration has embraced apprenticeships because they are a proven strategy for training and equipping workers with the right skills to succeed in a variety of sectors and professions,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I’m particularly proud of our efforts to integrate apprenticeships into our public schools, ensuring that young people can connect their classroom learning with on-the-job experiences in real time. This type of ‘career-connected learning’ is a win-win: it equips students with valuable workplace skills and provides employers an opportunity to shape the next generation of workers.”
“Every New Yorker needs a pathway to a good job, and apprenticeship opportunities make that path wider for more and more people,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We see this in health care, in particular with our Nurse Residency Program, and in the sector more broadly where opportunities will expand in the coming years. Importantly, these positions are adding to the diversity of the sector’s workforce as we work to not only create more paths to good jobs, but also continue to have our industries reflect the communities they serve.”
“Our announcement of 15,000 apprenticeships by the end of 2024 is a powerful demonstration of the city’s commitment to building on ramps to economic mobility and ensure that employers can tap the talent they need to thrive,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent) Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. “I am honored to join with our public-and private-sector employers, and many other partners, whose collective commitments to apprenticeships have helped us reach this impressive milestone, halfway to our 30×30 moonshot goal, ahead of schedule. Investing public and private resources into apprenticeships for the city’s diverse talent in high-growth sectors and family-sustaining occupations that power our city is a winning proposition for jobseekers, employers, and our economy, and how we will build on this momentum to reach 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030.”
This accomplishment comes as the Adams administration celebrates National Apprenticeship Week — created by the U.S. Department of Labor — with NYC Talent and New York City Public Schools bringing together a diverse group of youth apprentices working across public- and private-sectors to participate in a roundtable discussion and networking event. The event was held in collaboration with CareerWise, which currently partners with New York City Public Schools to place high school juniors and seniors into paid three-year apprenticeships. CareerWise has placed 527 of the city’s public-school students in apprenticeships at both public-and private-sector employers since June 2022, with 151 apprentices at city agencies and 376 at private employers.
Apprenticeship opportunities in New York City have overwhelmingly focused on the construction industry and other skilled trades. The Adams administration’s Apprenticeship Accelerator aims to expand apprenticeship opportunities into new industries and to serve diverse populations with entry points for on-demand jobs that fuel the city’s economy, including the green economy, health care, and other sectors. Of the more than 4,000 health care apprentices, 83 percent are women and 79 percent identify as people of color. The CareerWise youth apprentices are 92 percent people of color, 50 percent women, and 100 percent attend Title 1 schools.
The amount of non-construction apprenticeship programs grew by 62 percent including new programs in health care, technology, culinary, and public service.
Some highlights of this tremendous growth include:
- 4,000 more health care apprenticeships now than there were in 2022.
- A nearly 2,000 percent increase in the number of apprenticeships in technology since 2022 to 429.
- A nearly 2,300 percent increase in the number of apprenticeships in professional services and youth grew, from 22 to 527.
Apprenticeship takes collaboration and commitment across sectors and in partnership with both public and private partners. New stakeholders — including Fortune 500 companies, public sector agencies, and educational institutions — are stepping up to create more apprenticeship opportunities.
“We are proud to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by reaffirming our commitment to building bridges between education and real-world experience for students across New York City,” said Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “These programs are not only pivotal in preparing our students for future careers, but also in building a more inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of our city. By opening doors to new industries and offering hands-on experiences in the public and private sectors, we’re setting our young people on pathways to success and strengthening the talent pipeline for generations to come.”
In October, the Apprenticeship Accelerator launched the “Apprenticeship Community of Practice” that will come together to put forward solutions on how the city can expand apprenticeships and identify challenges, as well as how the community can address them.
Members include:
- Higher education
- Non-profit and for-profit training providers
- Employers
- Labor unions
- Apprenticeship intermediaries
- State regulatory bodies
- Social service providers
- Community based organizations
These recent announcements to increase apprenticeship opportunities reflect the Adams administration’s broader economic vision to build a more inclusive economy that offers robust pathways to opportunity for economically disadvantaged New Yorkers. In September, Mayor Adams and NYC Talent announced nearly 8,500 job-seeking New Yorkers were connected to employment, free training, and workforce development resources over six months through the “Jobs NYC” initiative. Jobs NYC is a multi-pronged citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment.
NYC Talent and the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will continue holding regular hiring halls, with the next one on December 12 in Manhattan. To register for the hiring hall and to find job opportunities, free training, and employment resources, New Yorkers can visit the Jobs NYC website.
In August, NYC Talent announced expanded workforce services for New Yorkers with disabilities and celebrated a hiring milestone for this group. Earlier this summer, Mayor Adams announced the city’s first-ever community hiring effort, which will leverage more than $1.2 billion in city contracts to create job opportunities for underserved New Yorkers.
In February, Mayor Adams unveiled a first-of-its-kind plan to grow the city’s green economy and best position New Yorkers to benefit from the nearly 400,000 projected “green-collar” jobs in New York City by 2040. Additionally, last year, Mayor Adams announced “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” an over $600 million action plan to bolster the city’s talent ecosystem.
“Apprenticeships are a proven strategy for recruiting, training, and retaining a highly-skilled and diverse workforce that greatly enhances the NYPD’s positive presence in our nation’s largest school district, which serves nearly 1 million young people,” said New York City Police Department Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon. “This avenue for expanding job opportunities and advancing careers also showcases this administration’s unwavering commitment to building a prosperous future for New York City.”
“The Department of Finance has welcomed a talented group of young people to serve in our agency, and we are excited to continue to mentor and equip them with the essential skills for a thriving career,” said New York City Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack. “This important apprenticeship program creates a pathway to public service, and we look forward to seeing these young stars grow into tomorrow’s leaders in the city workforce.”
“Apprenticeships are a powerful lever for creating equity of opportunity for New Yorkers,” said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross. “Given the centrality of this mission to SBS’ work, we applaud the Mayor’s Office for Talent and Workforce Development for leading the effort to increase the number and type of apprenticeships available to New Yorkers from every community. We’re proud to deliver this work, in partnership, during National Apprenticeship Week and every day.”
“The New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment is dedicated to creating and sustaining a local and diverse workforce to support our city’s world-renowned creative sectors, including theatre and live performance,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Pat Swinney Kaufman. “To that end, we are proud of our ongoing support for the Theatrical Workforce Development Program, a groundbreaking partnership with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees that provides paid hands-on training and mentorship with some of the live performance industry’s top working professionals. To date, we’ve seen 114 fellows placed with theaters and on tours. We look forward to finding ways to expand and duplicate this successful model throughout the different sectors of the entertainment industry, and to support this administration’s mission to provide opportunities, apprenticeships, and good-paying jobs for all New Yorkers.”
“We owe it to younger generations of New Yorkers to provide wide open opportunities for them to find meaningful, quality jobs in the sectors that make our city great, including the cultural sector,” said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “We’re so proud of the many programs that provide pathways into good-paying jobs in our iconic creative sector for New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds, and we applaud our partners in government and the private sector for making these amazing strides toward fostering a vibrant, inclusive economy that gives all residents access to the opportunities they deserve.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals is investing in our nurses like never before, with new career pathways, mentorship programs, and fellowships,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Nursing Executive and Senior Vice President Natalia Cineas, DNP, MSM-N, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FADLN. “We are proud to have enrolled over 2,300 registered nurses in our Nurse Residency Program over the last five years, giving our early career nurses a way to develop their evidence-based practice and clinical skills, while gaining experience in our city’s public hospitals and nursing homes. New Yorkers considering a career in health care should consider NYC Health + Hospitals.”
“My first job through the Summer Youth Employment Program helped me learn and develop the most important characteristic: a strong work ethic,” said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Keith Howard. “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I thank Mayor Adams for setting such an ambitious goal to create these employment opportunities, particularly among women and New Yorkers of color. It helped me — and will continue to help New York City youth.”
“Apprenticeships are a critical component of The City University of New York’s efforts to help thousands of our students make swift, successful transitions from the classroom into the workforce,” said The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “National Apprenticeship Week provides an opportunity to affirm CUNY’s commitment to sustain and expand this important work, helping more New Yorkers attain their career goals and ensuring that a greater number of employers are benefiting from their talent.”
“By investing in the city’s apprenticeship infrastructure, we can accelerate more talent into in-demand, family-sustaining careers,” said Kiersten Barnet, executive director, New York Jobs CEO Council. “Earn-and-learn models drive economic mobility forward while giving employers expanded access to a robust talent pipeline with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. Our members are committed to expanding career pathways and we commend the city of New York for their leadership in creating a more prosperous city for all.”
“We are pleased to see New York City achieve its goal of 15,000 apprenticeships by the end of 2024, a key step in creating equitable opportunities for young adults,” said Marjorie Parker, CEO and president, JobsFirstNYC. “At JobsFirstNYC, we continue to advocate for diverse approaches that break down barriers to economic mobility. This milestone not only marks significant progress but also opens doors for thousands of young New Yorkers to gain valuable skills and experience. By connecting young talent with career pathways, we’re transforming lives and strengthening New York City’s economy. This achievement reflects our commitment to ensuring all young adults have the resources and opportunities to build successful careers.”
“As a large organization with over 15,000 employees reporting to our U.S. headquarters here in New York City, we are thrilled to embrace, support and champion these apprenticeship opportunities,” said Alysia Renee Steinmann, managing partner, Ernst & Young (EY) Americas Greater New York. “Our talent pipeline has broadened to include college students from numerous community colleges within CUNY who have successfully aligned to this model and joined EY full-time in various roles that they previously would not have been eligible for.”
“Alternative career pathways like apprenticeships create opportunity and more equitable economies,” said Francheska Feliciano, director, the Aon Apprenticeship Program. “Forward-leaning companies across America need to recognize that talent exists outside the standard pool of job applicants. By offering an earn-while-you-learn mix of education, work experience, and mentorship, the Aon Apprenticeship Program removes financial and other barriers and attracts experienced people that may not have previously seen us as an option.”
“Nurse Residency Programs are the foundation of a thriving nursing workforce, and providing new nurses with the skills, support, and confidence to transition into clinical practice, these programs help shape compassionate and capable caregivers,” said Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, chief nurse executive, senior vice president, Mount Sinai Health System Cardiac Services. “Programs such as the Nurse Residency Program, not only foster professional development but also create a strong sense of community, teamwork, and commitment to excellence in patient care.”
“As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, the commitment made by Mayor Adams to create 30,000 new apprenticeships is a powerful example of how workforce development can drive opportunity and innovation,” said Brent Parton, president, CareerWise. “Apprenticeships are a key solution to equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in the modern economy, and this ambitious pledge is a step toward creating a more inclusive and resilient workforce for tomorrow. By expanding access to apprenticeships, we are building a future where opportunity is within reach for all. Apprenticeships give opportunity to not only our young people, but also employers looking for young talent like New York City Ferry, New York City Presbyterian, and Ralph Lauren that just signed on this year to grow their talent pool through youth apprenticeship.”
“I believe in youth apprenticeship,” said Chris Grant, New York City Public Schools graduate. “My own apprenticeship has given me so much, that I want to tell all high school students about the opportunity whenever given the chance. I went from a kid interested in graphic design to a full-time product designer working for a Fortune 500 company in New York City.”
“Theatre is ingrained in New York City’s DNA—it drives tourism, creates jobs, and strengthens businesses and communities in all five boroughs,” said Roundabout Theater Interim Artistic Director Scott Ellis. “Thanks to our industry partners, and especially the steadfast commitment of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Theatrical Workforce Development Program creates meaningful job access to the industry for our fellow New Yorkers and connects arts organizations across the city with skilled and experienced technicians. We are deeply grateful for the support of our partners in local government and proud to work alongside the city to promote opportunity and keep the arts strong through this essential program.”
“The hospital community is grateful to New York City for developing the Citywide Nurse Residency Program, and to Mayor Adams for his strong continued support of it,” said Tim Johnson, senior vice president, Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and member, New York City Workforce Development Council. “This important program helps newly graduated nurses embark on a career working in hospitals and has made the transition to hospital-based nursing much more successful. GNYHA applauds the city for its commitment to the Nurse Residency Program and is proud to have been a part of its development.”
“I was deeply honored to have had the opportunity to attend the Nursing Residency Program alongside our incredible team of nurses,” said Gary Terrinoni, president and CEO, The Brooklyn Hospital Center. “As a healthcare leader, I recognize that our nurses are the backbone of our organization, and their commitment to patient care is truly inspiring.”
“We’re excited to be offering New Yorkers healthcare career pathways,” said Daniel Bustillo, deputy executive director, 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, and member, New York City Workforce Development Council. “Apprenticeships are one of the innovative earn and learn models that increase opportunities for education and good-paying jobs.”
“Reaching the milestone of 15,000 apprenticeships is a testament to the power of collaboration and the city’s commitment to expanding equitable pathways to economic opportunity,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO, New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC). “At NYCETC, we envision a New York City where every individual—regardless of background—has access to the skills, training, and opportunities needed to thrive in our economy. Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of this vision, serving as a vital bridge between talent and opportunity while fostering diversity across industries. This achievement not only reflects progress toward the 30×30 moonshot goal, but also aligns with NYCETC’s mission to strengthen the workforce ecosystem, ensuring that all New Yorkers can actively participate in and benefit from our city’s economic growth and innovation.”
“New York City’s achievement of creating more than 15,000 apprenticeship opportunities is a testament to the power of collaboration and vision,” said Plinio Ayala, president and CEO, Per Scholas. “Per Scholas is honored to partner with the NYC Talent Apprenticeship Accelerator to help drive this success by equipping New Yorkers across all five boroughs with the skills they need to thrive in tech careers. We look forward to continuing to work alongside employers and community partners to create equitable pathways to opportunity and strengthen the city’s workforce.”
“Apprenticeships are essential to building an inclusive economy and equipping New Yorkers for the jobs of the future,” said Pursuit CEO Jukay Hsu. “As the first NYS Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship provider in software development serving low-income New York City adults, we’re proud to support the city’s ambitious 30×30 moonshot goal by expanding tech apprenticeships. Tech sector jobs pay more than 1.5x the average NYC salary and accounted for 25 percent of the city’s job growth over the past decade. Tech apprenticeship pathways not only provide underserved communities with life-changing career opportunities but also help drive long-term economic resilience.”
November 22, 2024 Manhattan, New York
Sources: nyc.gov , Midtown Tribune
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