NEW YORK, NY, December 15, 2025 – The New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) convened its 2025 Annual Conference: Advancing Affordability Through Jobs, Wages & Wealth, on December 9 – 10 at The Times Center in Midtown Manhattan, gathering more than 500 leaders from business, government, higher education, labor, philanthropy, and community organizations.
The two-day convening marked a pivotal moment for shaping a more equitable economic future for New Yorkers, bringing renewed focus to the systems and investments required to connect affordability, job quality, and long-term mobility. Leaders and practitioners examined how New York’s workforce systems must evolve to meet shifting labor-market demands, particularly in technology, healthcare, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
“Affordability is workforce policy,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO of New York City Employment and Training Coalition. “When wages, supports, and systems fall out of sync, workers can’t move and employers can’t hire. Workforce development, and the people we serve, must anchor every vision for the city’s future. Aligning our systems and investing in job quality and real supports is how New York delivers stability, mobility, and a more affordable future.”
Leaders from government, higher education, major employers, philanthropy, finance, and community-based organizations explored the trends and challenges defining the city’s workforce landscape. Experts across technology, healthcare, human services, construction, climate and green infrastructure, finance, and education brought forward insights on preparing workers for an AI- and technology-driven economy; expanding pathways in growing health and social care fields; modernizing apprenticeships and credentialing; strengthening regional partnerships; and applying innovative financing models to sustain long-term workforce investments.
“At Citizens, we’re committed to helping New Yorkers meet the complex and evolving needs of a dynamic workforce,” said Rebecca O’Connell, New York City Metro President at Citizens. “By investing in people and supporting a coalition to build pathways to future-ready skills, we’re strengthening communities and creating a more resilient New York metro.”
Participants also emphasized the essential role of wraparound supports, including childcare, housing stability, transportation, mental health care, and digital access, in ensuring job retention and upward mobility. Together, these discussions highlighted the cross-sector collaboration required to build a more affordable, equitable, and resilient New York.
“New York’s future will be built at the intersection of innovation, talent, and transformative technology,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Impact Officer, IBM. “IBM is committed to expanding access to vital skills and tools through IBM SkillsBuild, enabling talent to succeed in the AI economy. Together with NYCETC, watsonX AI Labs in the heart of Manhattan and our network of global partners and engineers, we’re supporting local opportunities to thrive and innovate.”
Across both days, policymakers reinforced a shared message: economic growth is only meaningful when it expands access to family-sustaining jobs. Leaders stressed that targeted investment, coordinated strategies, and better-aligned systems are necessary to ensure the city’s economic strength benefits every community.
“Family-sustaining careers shouldn’t be the exception, they should be the norm,” said Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director of the NY Jobs CEO Council. “Our employers are united around one priority: expanding high-quality pathways that offer New Yorkers economic mobility and drive our economy. This conference reaffirmed that when we coordinate our efforts, we can accelerate progress with what workers deserve.”
“Workforce development succeeds when practitioners have the tools, resources, and data to meet workers where they are,” said Sherazade Langlade, CEO, WPTI. “The conversations this week underscored what we see every day: investing in frontline providers is investing in New York’s economic future. We’re proud to partner with NYCETC to raise the standard for quality, equity, and impact across the field.”
The conference also featured relaunch of NYCETC’s Opportunity Awards, which honored individuals and organizations whose leadership is redefining the city’s workforce future. Honorees were recognized for advancing employer engagement, strengthening worker supports, and expanding access to high-quality jobs for historically marginalized communities. The awards celebrated the work of visionary leaders committed to ensuring every New Yorker has a pathway to stability and upward mobility.
“New York’s economic strength has always depended on our ability to grow talent and expand opportunity,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City and 2025 Opportunity Award Honoree. “This recognition underscores the urgent work ahead: deepening collaboration between employers, educators, and government so every New Yorker can participate in and benefit from the city’s economic future.”
“When we invest in people, we strengthen the resilience of the entire city,” said Nancy Shannon, Senior Vice President of People and Supply Chain, Con Edison 2025 Opportunity Award Honoree. “This honor affirms our commitment to building a skilled, diverse workforce and supporting the communities that power New York’s growth. Opportunity must be a shared asset, and we’re proud to help expand it.”
“Economic mobility is a right, not a privilege, and policymakers have a responsibility to clear the barriers that stand in people’s way,” said New York State Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, 2025 Opportunity Award Honoree. “This recognition is a reminder that bold, collaborative, community-driven solutions can create real pathways to prosperity for families across the Bronx and the city.”
Across all programming, the conference advanced a unified call to action: safeguarding New York’s affordability and competitiveness requires sustained alignment between employers, education institutions, community organizations, and policymakers.
As New York heads into 2026 under a new mayoral administration, the conference helped set the tone for the work ahead. By sharpening regional strategies, strengthening essential supports, and leveraging targeted investments, the city can build a workforce ecosystem where opportunity is accessible and prosperity is shared.
“When New Yorkers can access good jobs, the entire city rises,” said Leslie Abbey, Co-Chair, NYCETC Board and CEO of Hot Bread Kitchen. “Creating pathways to economic mobility—with the right wraparound supports—is essential to driving meaningful, lasting change. But this work requires sustained commitment and long-term investment by our government and industry partners. Real transformation doesn’t happen overnight.”
“This conference made clear that New York’s affordability crisis is inseparable from its opportunity crisis,” said Christopher Watler, Co-Chair, NYCETC Board, Executive Vice President, Center for Employment Opportunities. “By centering workers and listening to communities, we can build a fairer labor market, one where justice, equity, and economic mobility are not just ideals but daily realities.”
“The energy transition demands an inclusive workforce strategy, one that prepares New Yorkers for the high-quality jobs shaping our future economy,” said Debbie Roman, Co-Vice Chair, NYCETC Board, Program Manager, NY Workforce Development, National Grid, 2025 Conference Co-Chair. “This convening showcased exactly what is possible when employers, educators, and community leaders unite around a shared purpose: broad, lasting opportunity for every neighborhood.”
“Young people deserve pathways that honor their potential, not their past,” said Kalilah Moon, Co-Vice Chair, NYCETC Board, Executive Director, Drive Change, 2025 Conference Co-Chair. “New York’s workforce system is strongest when it builds trust, expands access, and opens doors for those historically pushed to the margins. This conference reaffirmed that possibility, and the collective responsibility we share to make it real.”
About the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)
The New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) is the largest city-based workforce development association in the country, supporting over 220 member organizations that serve more than 200,000 New Yorkers annually. NYCETC works to ensure every New Yorker—especially individuals historically excluded from economic opportunity—has access to the skills, education, and support needed to thrive in the local economy. Its members primarily serve women, young adults, public housing residents, justice-impacted individuals, immigrants, and New Yorkers of color.
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