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.”
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