2022 NYCETC Conference

Thank you for attending the 2022 NYCETC Conference: Advancing Talent & Equity for a Thriving Economy. This year’s conference was held on Thursday, October 13th from 9 am to 5 pm at the CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016 and live-streamed via Zoom. Below, we’ve included an overview of the day, including a recording of the event, agenda, slideshow, and photos.

As always if you have any questions, please be in touch with Stephanie, Director of Community and Operations, sbirmingham@nycetc.org or (646) 866-7097.

Overview

Agenda, Recordings, and Resources

This year’s conference theme “Advancing Talent & Equity for a Thriving Economy” examined the systemic, programmatic, and business challenges and impactful solutions found within workforce and economic development. The day was split between morning and afternoon sessions, buffered by breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon break for members of the workforce development community to network with their peers.

The panel discussions and fireside chats are outlined below, and were moderated by reporters from NY1, the New York Times, WNYC, THE CITY, Crain’s NY Business, and Gotham Gazette. Throughout the day, featured a variety of 8-minute TED-style solutions presented by our members and partners that showcased the diversity and creativity of New York City’s workforce ecosystem.

Access a recording of the conference on our YouTube channel and follow along with the slideshow and transcript.

Morning Agenda
The morning sessions are centered around the City’s vision for an improved workforce ecosystem and equitable recovery. We will hear from leadership from the Mayor’s Office, City agencies, and the City Council on their vision and plans creating a stronger system and services for New Yorkers and businesses, and how service providers can collaborate.

8:00 am Registration
Check-in and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast.

9:00 am Welcome Remarks

Join us for opening remarks with the following speakers:

Annie Garneva, NYCETC / @adventuringon @NYCETC_org
Kathleen Culhane, Nontraditional Employment for Women / @KathleenCulhane @NEWStrongWomen
Gregory Morris, NYCETC / @gregjmorris @NYCETC_org
Rafia Zahir-Uddin, JPMorgan Chase & Co. / @jpmorgan

Watch our conference welcome remarks.

9:20 am The City’s Economic Recovery and the Future of Workers

Discussion with members of the Future of Workers Task Force to provide a deeper understanding of the role, goals and objectives of the Task Force and its engagement with workforce service providers to create a stronger system and services for New Yorkers and businesses.

Lauren Andersen, City University of New York / @CUNY
Abby Jo Sigal, Mayor’s Office of Talent & Workforce Development / @abbyjosigal
Katy Gaul-Stigge, Goodwill NYNJ / @GoodwillNYNJ
Lisette Nieves, Fund for the City of New York / @LisetteNieves1 @FundforNYC
Alysia Steinmann, Ernst & Young / @EY_US
Moderator: Errol Louis, NY1 / @errollouis @NY1

Watch The City’s Economic Recovery and the Future of Workers panel discussion.

9:50 am Implementing a Vision for a Stronger Workforce System
Discussion between City agency leadership at HRA, SBS, DYCD and NYCEDC about how the Mayor Adams’ economic recovery blueprint will reflect their overall programming plans over the next two years, current and future contracts, and how community based organizations can better partner with agencies.

Jill Berry, NYC Dept. of Social Services / @NYCHRA
Je’Nean Jones-Seo, NYC Dept. of Small Business Services / @NYC_SBS
Cecilia Kushner, NYC Economic Development Corporation / @NYCEDC
Denice Williams, NYC Dept. of Youth & Community Development / @NYCYouth
Moderator: Nicole Hong, New York Times / @nicole_hong @nytimes

Watch Implementing a Vision for a Stronger Workforce System panel discussion.

10:20 am Solution: The Promise of Good Jobs and Social Equity in New York’s Cannabis Industry presented by Esta Bigler, Cornell ILR / Cannabis Workforce Initiative / @cornellilr

Watch this Solution presented by Esta Bigler. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 11.

10:45 am A Conversation with City Council Leaders
A fireside chat with City Council leaders about what the Council is doing to support New Yorkers and businesses in the economic recovery, job growth, and to access opportunity right now.

Gale Brewer, NYC Council / @galeabrewer
Amanda Farías, NYC Council / @CMAmandaFarias
Moderator: Brian Pascus, Crain’s New York Business / @brianpascus @CrainsNewYork

Watch the conversation with Council Members Gale Brewer and Amanda Farías.

11:15 am Remarks from Mayor Eric Adams

Watch the Mayor’s remarks.

11:35 am A Conversation with Labor Leaders
A discussion with labor leaders about unions’ plans for supporting workers in training and reskilling, how the community-based provider community can better connect their clients to apprenticeships, and how the workforce ecosystem can better collaborate with one another during this time of heightened need and historic sectoral changes.

Henry Garrido, District Council 37 / @HenryGarrido17 @DC37nyc
Gary LaBarbera, Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York / @NYCBldgTrades
Sandi Vito, 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds / @1199SEIUTEF
Moderator: Kathleen Culhane, Nontraditional Employment for Women / @KathleenCulhane @NEWStrongWomen

Watch the Labor Leaders panel discussion.

12:00 pm Solution: Mapping the Skills of New Yorkers to Drive Place- and Industry-Based Development and Reskilling co-presented by Keri Faulhaber, JobsFirstNYC / @KFaulhaber @JobsFirstNYC and Alison Lands, SkyHive / @Alison_Lands @SkyHiveAI

Watch this Solution co-presented by Keri Faulhaber and Alison Lands. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 20.

Afternoon Agenda
The afternoon’s sessions will examine the landscape of workforce services and how organizations across the system are collaborating and developing functional and actionable programming for their clients to access careers in our 21st century economy. Themes for the afternoon slate of programming include: program structures and funding, talent development, the great resignation, labor market needs, and the role of unions and organizing.

1:15 pm A Conversation with NYCETC’s Leadership
A fireside chat with NYCETC’s leadership about NYCETC’s vision and plans for the coming year of advocacy and programming.

Annie Garneva, NYCETC / @adventuringon @NYCETC_org
Gregory Morris, NYCETC / @gregjmorris @NYCETC_org
Moderator: Ben Max, Gotham Gazette / @TweetBenMax @GothamGazette

Watch the conversation with NYCETC’s leadership.

1:35 pm Google NYC Tech Fund by Angela Pinsky, Google / @angelapinsky @google

Watch the Google NYC Tech Fund announcement.

1:40 pm Post-Pandemic Economy and Skills for 21st Century Economy
Discussion about labor market changes including the great resignation and a slow jobs recovery, the actions employers and providers are taking to better equip New Yorkers with 21st century economy skills, and unpacking what businesses and job seekers need to flourish in today’s economy.

Angie Kamath, New York University / @NYUSPS
Matthew Klein, Robin Hood / @mattklein_ @RobinHoodNYC
Angela Pinsky, Google / @angelapinsky @google
Merrill Pond, Partnership for New York City / @Partnership4NYC
Moderator: Ben Max, Gotham Gazette / @TweetBenMax @GothamGazette

Watch the Post-Pandemic Economy and Skills for 21st Century Economy panel.

2:10 pm Solution: Bridging the College-to-Career Gap through Mentorship and Foundational 21st Century Skills presented by Kilsys Payamps-Roure, Braven / @BeBraven

Watch this Solution presented by Kilsys Payamps-Roure. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 32.

2:20 pm Solution: The Emerging Leaders Program – Opening Doors to New Careers for People with Convictions presented by Ed Lucus, Center For Employment Opportunities (CEO) / @ceoworks

Watch this Solution presented by Ed Lucus. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 42.

2:30 pm Solution: Partnering for Impact – The Per Scholas Satellite Model presented by Bryan Lozano, Per Scholas / @PerScholas

Watch this Solution presented by Bryan Lozano. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 51.

2:40 pm Inclusive Growth: A Strategy for an Equitable Recovery
Members of the New York City Inclusive Growth Initiative’s steering committee will discuss how housing and economic development weave together with workforce development and address growing sectors, such as green jobs and cannabis, and integrating local community needs, especially workforce into sector development.

Nikki Evans, Jeremiah Program / @JeremiahProgram
christian gonzález-rivera, Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, CUNY / @BrookdaleAging
Yahshaanyah Hill, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corp. / @UMEZ_DC
Daphany R Sanchez, Kinetic Communities / @Daph_NYC_
Mirtha Santana, Housing Advocate / @mirthasantana10
Moderator: Angelique Molina-Mangaroo, NYN Media / @Angeliquewrites @NYN_media

Watch the Inclusive Growth: A Strategy for an Equitable Recovery panel.

3:00 pm Solution: Making Rezoning Work – Integrating Workforce Development into Land-Use Changes presented by Eli Dvorkin, Center for an Urban Future / @wetwax @nycfuture

Watch this Solution presented by Eli Dvorkin. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 60.

3:10 pm Solution: The Future is Cooperative co-presented by Rebecca Lurie, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies / @rebecca_lurie @CunySLU and Anh-Thu Nguyen, Democracy at Work Institute / @WeAreDAWI

Watch this Solution co-presented by Rebecca Lurie and Anh-Thu Nguyen. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 64.

3:20 pm New York City’s Workforce Landscape
An in-depth look at the New York City Workforce Landscape report released earlier this month by NYCETC, WPTI, and the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, takeaways from NYATEP’s Statewide Workforce Equity Analysis Tool to address the inequities that the workforce system internally perpetuates; and discussion with service providers on pandemic and post-pandemic challenges.

Lowell Herschberger, Cypress Hills Local Development Corp. / @CHLDC
Kevin Tse, Chinese-American Planning Council / @cpc_nyc
L.K. Moe, Center for New York City Affairs at The New School / @CenterNYC
Evelyn Ortiz, NYATEP / @eiortiz @nyatep
Robert Taylor, Youth Action YouthBuild / @YAYouthBuild
Andrea Vaghy, Workforce Professionals Training Institute / @WPTIorg
Moderator: Ethan Geringer-Sameth, Gotham Gazette / @GeringerSameth @GothamGazette

Watch the panel discussion on New York City’s Workforce Landscape report. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this panel on page 80.

4:00 pm Solution: Building the Best Peer Workforce – Authentic Interviews for Individuals with Limited Work Histories presented by Curtis Dann-Messier, NYC Health + Hospitals / @NYCHealthSystem

Watch this Solution presented by Curtis Dann-Messier. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 85 and the program flyer. Know someone who would be a good fit for the H+H Peer Academy, sign-up to be notified when the application opens.

4:10pm Solution: Unlocking Employment Opportunities for Job Seekers Involved in the Legal System co-presented by Elena Sigman, John Jay College Institute for Justice & Opportunity / @JusticeAndOpp and Kiana Walbrook, Henry Street Settlement / @HenryStreet

Watch this Solution co-presented by Elena Sigman and Kiana Walbrook. Check out the Unlocking Employment course and the slide deck for this Solution on page 96.

4:20 pm Solution: Energy Transition Workforce Training Programs presented by Beth Offenbacker, NYS Energy Research & Development Authority / @NYSERDA

Watch this Solution presented by Beth Offenbacker. Check out additional resources and the slide deck for this Solution on page 102.

4:35 pm A Conversation with NYCETC’s Founders, Kathleen Masters and Virginia Cruickshank moderated by Valerie Payne, Rebuilding Together NYC / @vwestpayne

Watch the discussion with NYCETC’s Founders.

Sponsorship and Tickets

We’re excited to host you and your team on October 13th, and thank you in advance for your crucial support of this event and the Coalition.

Individuals are welcome to purchase in-person conference tickets for $150 for non-members and $100 for NYCETC members. Or, attend virtually and tune into a live-stream of our main stage discussions via Zoom for $25. The deadline to register for tickets is October 11th, or while supplies last.

Additionally, sponsorship is a great way for organizations and companies to receive special perks like bulk tickets for your team and company placement, and all the while, showing your strong support of the Coalition. Sponsorship begins at $1,500 and you can find full details in our sponsor packet. Pledge your support no later than September 30th.

FAQs

What are your health and safety protocols?

All conference guests must present their photo ID and proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter. If you do not have the Covid-19 vaccine, please present negative PCR test results with a test administered within seven days of the conference. Our team will ask for these documents when you check-in on 10/13.

While masks are not required, they are strongly recommended. We encourage all guests to wear high quality masks that cover their nose and mouth for the duration of the conference.

Is coat check available?

Yes, there is a staffed coat check available for your use after you check-in.

What is the best way to get to the CUNY Graduate Center?

The CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016 is located on Fifth Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets. We suggest using public transit or ride share to arrive at the conference.

The closest subway station is 34th St Herald Square on 33rd Street and 6th Avenue and is served by the B, D, F, N, R, Q and W subway lines. The Graduate Center is also two blocks away from 34th St Penn Station, on 7th Avenue and 32nd Street and is served by the A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, and Long Island Railroad lines.

The nearest paid parking lot is GGMC Parking located two blocks down on 33rd Street and 5th Avenue, on 8 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.

The building is ADA compliant and there is a wheelchair accessible ramp at the far left set of doors at the front entrance.

Will breakfast and lunch be provided for in-person conference attendees?

Yes, we will offer a complimentary breakfast from 8 am – 9 am with hot coffee/tea and light breakfast items. Additionally, a complimentary boxed lunch will be offered from 12 pm – 1 pm.

How will the conference content be shared?

Please note this event will be filmed in its entirety and photographed. The video and photographs will be used by NYCETC for marketing and publicity including on social media, on the organization’s website, and in other materials.

What accommodations will you provide during the conference?

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. This conference includes live captioning, reserved front row seating, wheelchair access, a lactation room, gender neutral bathrooms, and advance access to the program book and presentation slides.

Please be in touch with MJ, mdelgadoureche@nycetc.org or (646) 866-7134 at least seven days prior to the event if you require an ASL interpreter, assistive listening device, or other accommodation not listed here.

Who should attend this conference?

We welcome anyone interested in economic justice and New York City to attend! You might be a job developer, non-profit leader, social worker, government official, a local business owner, or part of corporate leadership.