A few weeks ago, news broke of widespread fraud targeting SYEP payment cards. In our initial statement, and in recent media interviews, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris underscored that this situation does not reflect a flaw in SYEP’s programmatic design or in the dedication of the professionals who bring it to life each summer. Instead, it was the result of intentional exploitation by bad actors who capitalized on gaps in existing financial protections.
Our message remains firm: SYEP deserves sustained investment, coupled with a thorough investigation into what happened, clear public reporting, and meaningful consequences for those involved. Moving forward, that also means reinforcing financial safeguards and expanding accessible, relevant financial education for the young people the program serves.
Looking Forward
Despite this setback, the success and impact of SYEP remain undeniable. We are confident that next year, and for many years to come, the program will continue to deliver on its promise of connecting young adults to good jobs and bright futures.
In the News
NY1 Segment – “I’m hoping that a really bad circumstance doesn’t impact this program in the long term because young adults need access to good jobs and good opportunities — SYEP has done that for 60 years.”
The CITY – Summer Jobs Program Heist Likely Had Hacker Help, Say ATM Experts “The providers that I know were excited about the summer. They were accomplishing interesting, valuable, meaningful things, putting young people to work on their first job pathways, and this was surprising, concerning, frustrating.”
Suggested Readings
- CUF, Strengthening SYEP: Introducing NYC Youth to Higher-Wage Career Paths
- MDRC, An Introduction to the World of Work: A Study of the Implementation and Impacts of New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program
- MDRC, Components of High-Quality Summer Youth Employment Programs
- U.S. Department of Labor, An Introduction to the World of Work: A Study of the Implementation and Impacts of New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program
NEW YORK, NY – August 14, 2025 – The New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) and The Green Launchpad today announced the formal launch of the NYC Energy Efficiency Workforce Coalition, an ambitious, employer-led initiative aimed at accelerating workforce development and market transformation in New York City’s energy efficiency sector.
Bringing together contractors, program implementers, and subject-matter experts across the energy efficiency ecosystem, the Coalition is committed to addressing urgent talent gaps while creating long-term career pathways in clean energy. This effort is made possible through a partnership with Con Edison and builds upon insights from industry professionals who have come together to define the skills, roles, and growth trajectories critical to the sector’s future. The coalition will share insights and guidance with workforce development providers to ensure that training is aligned with job opportunities.
“This Coalition is about creating the connective tissue between New York City’s clean energy goals and the people who will power them,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition. “By aligning contractors, workforce providers, and training institutions around a common vision, we’re building a durable ecosystem that equips New Yorkers, especially those from historically excluded communities, with the skills and support to access meaningful, long-term careers. It’s a strategy for inclusive economic development, one that drives decarbonization, strengthens local businesses, and builds wealth in the communities most impacted by climate and economic inequity.”
The Coalition will initially focus on three high-impact occupational tracks: energy auditing and analysis, project management, and technician roles, such as HVAC and installation technicians. These tracks were selected based on direct input from employers who identified them as both high-demand and foundational to decarbonization efforts.
Recognizing that job titles and responsibilities can vary dramatically between large implementation firms and smaller contractors, the Coalition’s working groups will develop customized guides that reflect the nuances of the NYC energy efficiency ecosystem. This includes mapping samples of non-linear career progression, such as technicians moving into program management, and clarifying transferable skills between roles.
“We are incredibly energized by the enthusiastic participation and shared vision demonstrated at our inaugural meeting,” added Angela N. Son, CEO of The Green Launchpad. “This initiative is about more than articulating industry needs; it’s about pioneering a systemic transformation that will scale energy efficiency across our city. The collective commitment from our partners will be instrumental in making New York a leader in green workforce innovation.”
The Coalition is also collaborating with Con Edison to elevate the voices of smaller, underrepresented contractors, often overlooked in workforce planning. By coordinating feedback sessions and focus groups, the Coalition aims to ensure that its deliverables, such as job track blueprints and competency frameworks, are inclusive of both large-scale implementers and “one-truck-Chuck” contractors working at the neighborhood level.
“The Con Edison Foundation shares and supports the Coalition’s mission to prepare the next generation of New Yorkers with the skills they need to power this great city,” said Hilary Ayala, Executive Director of the Con Edison Foundation and the Director of Strategic Partnerships Programs at Con Edison. “We are pleased to be a resource for the Coalition and those seeking the training, education, and skills necessary to build our clean energy future.”
Over the coming year, the Coalition will publish a series of frameworks and tools to guide training providers, community-based organizations, and employers in building and supporting energy efficiency talent. These tools will be grounded in nationally recognized labor data (such as ONET) but refined with local expertise to ensure they reflect real-world job titles, advancement opportunities, and compensation realities.
The NYC Energy Efficiency Workforce Coalition invites all interested organizations and individuals to engage with its mission as it moves forward. The collaborative’s work is anticipated to set a new approach to public-private partnerships in advancing green infrastructure and workforce development.
“This Coalition puts employers at the center of building New York City’s clean energy future,” said Jennifer Tausig, Economic and Workforce Development Consultant and Coordinator of the NYC Energy Efficiency Workforce Coalition. “By grounding our work in the real needs and insights of both large firms and small contractors, we’re creating a practical, scalable roadmap for talent development. These employers are the architects of a new model that links workforce equity with climate innovation. At a moment when the federal budget signals disinvestment in critical housing and infrastructure, local leadership is essential to charting a course that supports market transformation and inclusive economic growth.”
“Willdan is delighted to be a founding member of this innovative Coalition. We appreciate how important creating meaningful career pathways for diverse and deserving individuals and communities is for our city and our industry, and this Coalition is a big step towards creating necessary bridges,” said Antuan Cannon, Vice President of Talent Development and Innovation at Willdan. “We’re humbled that so many of our colleagues and peers share our conviction in this effort’s urgency, affirming that it is bigger than any one of our individual companies.”
“The transition to a clean energy economy requires a deliberate approach to workforce development, one rooted in collaboration, clarity, and long-term investment,” said Brian Johnston, Director at TRC Companies. “As a founding member of the Coalition, TRC Companies is committed to aligning talent development with the demands of energy efficiency implementation. This work strengthens the entire ecosystem, giving contractors access to qualified candidates, giving workers visibility into viable career paths, and giving the city a model for inclusive and scalable market transformation.”
“We’re excited to join a coalition that recognizes the critical role of technical knowledge and workforce clarity in decarbonizing New York City’s buildings,” said LeAnne Harvey, a Senior Building Systems Consultant at Steven Winter Associates. “With evolving building codes, advanced performance standards, and rising demand for heat pumps, the need for well-prepared professionals has never been greater. We are proud to help define job roles, competencies, and career ladders that reflect the real-world skills required for success in this industry. This work ensures that workforce development is not just reactive but strategic, inclusive, and built for the future.”
“This Coalition is a game-changer for the energy efficiency sector,” said Jonathan Mandel, Senior Vice President of Operations at DVM Industries. “At DVM Industries, we’ve long believed in the power of workforce development to deliver both business results and community impact. As a turnkey provider of Energy Solutions, including Mechanical, EV charging, Lighting, Solar, and Battery systems, we’re proud to contribute a real-world, solutions-based perspective to this initiative. This collaboration enables us to help shape talent strategies that reflect the evolving demands of the energy and infrastructure sectors. By aligning industry needs with skills training, we’re opening doors for New Yorkers to build meaningful careers and take the lead in the clean energy transition.
About New York City Employment and Training Coalition
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.
About The Green Launchpad
The Green Launchpad is a social enterprise dedicated to accelerating climate equity by bridging the gap between clean energy employers and the workforce ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships, program design, and employer-driven initiatives, the organization helps scale inclusive workforce solutions that support decarbonization and economic mobility. The Green Launchpad works at the intersection of clean energy and workforce development to build a more just and sustainable future.
“The latest jobs data shows New York City added fewer than 1,000 private-sector jobs in the past six months — the slowest start to a year outside the pandemic. That is unacceptable at a time when the cost of living is climbing faster than paychecks.
With a mayor’s race underway, the driving conversation must be on how we create quality jobs, connect economic development to local hiring, and ensure every New Yorker has a clear, supported path to succeed.
We cannot talk about affordability without talking about jobs. Housing, transit, childcare — none of it is truly affordable without stable, well-paying work. The NYC Employment and Training Coalition’s Workforce Development Agenda calls for immediate action to expand municipal and high-demand industry pathways and to invest in training, navigation, and digital access.
The strategy is in place. The partners are committed. We have proven models. What’s needed now is leadership willing to act to deliver economic mobility in every borough.”
Suggested Reading
- The New York Times, New York City Companies All but Stopped Hiring in First Half of the Year
- NYCETC, Workforce Development Agenda
“Yesterday, Dr. E.J. Antoni was nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Independent, accurate labor market data underpins decisions that affect every working community and any leadership transition must strengthen the agency’s credibility.
While the Senate conducts its review, NYCETC and our partners have a local and urgent responsibility: build public and auditable data that tracks program-level outcomes, job quality and earnings, employer demand, and retention, so decisions are driven by evidence, not politics.
We urge a rigorous confirmation process in Washington. If confirmed, Dr. Antoni should unequivocally reaffirm BLS’s nonpartisan mission and methodological integrity.
However, New York City cannot wait for federal debates to settle. We must invest now in a modern workforce data infrastructure to target resources effectively and expand opportunity in every borough.”
Suggested Reading
“The decision to remove the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics undermines our ability to respond with accuracy, speed, and fairness. The Bureau of Labor Statistics informs everything from interest rates to workforce policy. Disrupting its leadership jeopardizes the quality and independence of the data that policymakers, providers, and employers rely on.
There is an urgency for New York City to invest in its own workforce data infrastructure, built on transparency and accountability. What’s at stake is dire – the futures of job seekers, workers, and neighborhoods across this city.
NYCETC and our partners are advancing initiatives like the Workforce Benchmarking Network to measure what matters, respond faster, and hold ourselves accountable. We’re preparing for disruption and we’re building the systems to navigate and shape the future. If the federal government won’t protect the integrity of our labor data, we will.”
Suggested Reading
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation Summary, August 1, 2025
- The New York Times, Trump, Claiming Weak Jobs Numbers Were ‘Rigged,’ Fires Labor Official
“For nearly 60 years, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has been a lifeline for young New Yorkers. It’s often their first job, their first step toward economic independence, and their first encounter with the financial system. It is the largest program of its kind in the nation and has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of youth, especially those from communities historically excluded from economic mobility.
The widespread fraud involving SYEP payment cards is deeply disturbing and demands accountability. This wasn’t a failure of the program model, nor of the caring, tireless professionals who make it work. Rather, it was a deliberate exploitation by bad actors, taking advantage of systemic weaknesses in financial safeguards.
What makes this even more egregious is the broader context: young adults in New York City continue to face the highest unemployment rates post‑pandemic. In 2024, the unemployment rate for 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds was still 13.2 percent, 3.6 points above pre‑pandemic levels—and higher than any other age group.
This moment calls for leadership, transparency, and action—not retreat. We need a full investigation into how this fraud occurred, clear public reporting, and genuine accountability for those responsible. That includes strengthening financial safeguards and expanding financial education that meets young people where they are.
SYEP is not the problem; it’s part of the solution. It’s a critical on-ramp to economic opportunity, especially for young adults who continue to face the highest unemployment rates in the city. At a time when New York needs its next generation of talent to thrive, we must protect and strengthen the programs designed to help them succeed.”
- From the Mayor’s Office: “Best Budget Ever” Gets Even Better: Mayor Adams, Speaker Adams Reach Handshake Agreement for Responsible, Balanced, and On-Time Fiscal Year 2026 Budget That Invests in Public Safety, Affordability and Quality of Life;
- From the City Council Speaker’s Office: New York City Council Adopts Fiscal Year 2026 Budget with Increased Housing, Childcare, Education, Mental Health, Public Safety, and Quality of Life Investments;
- Budget Resources: NYC Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget website; NYC Council Budget website; FY26 New York City Council Schedule C
New York City’s FY26 budget includes major investments in early childhood education, CUNY, mental health, and cultural institutions—many of which directly respond to priorities outlined in a recent Crain’s op-ed by NYCETC CEO Gregory J Morris and Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías. The op-ed made the case that “workforce development is the foundation of an inclusive economy,” urging the City to embed workforce equity into housing, education, care infrastructure, and public hiring. So—how did the final budget measure up? Below, we break down the wins, the gaps, and what it all means for New Yorkers looking to work, earn, and thrive.
Early Childhood Education: A Major Win
The FY26 budget delivers major wins on early care and education—restoring $112 million for 3-K and Pre-K, adding $25 million for full-day/year seats in high-need neighborhoods, and allocating $10 million for infant and toddler care. These actions respond directly to the op-ed’s call to treat early childhood as a cornerstone of economic mobility: “Workforce development begins in the classroom,” wrote Morris and Council Majority Leader Farías. In press remarks following the budget’s passage, Farías celebrated this achievement, stating, “This $115.9B budget serves New Yorkers with seven-day library access and early childhood education to restored city services and CUNY support—it meets New Yorkers’ needs head-on.”
CUNY Access and Postsecondary Pathways: Promise Fulfilled
The op-ed emphasized that “CUNY remains our city’s most powerful engine of economic mobility,” and called for expanded on-ramps to postsecondary success. The FY26 budget answered with more than $135 million for CUNY institutions and initiatives—including $109.5 million in base operating support, and targeted funds for ACE ($10.1M), Reconnect ($7.8M), and ASAP for All ($5.5M). In the op-ed, Morris and Farías argued that investments in CUNY “strengthen the link between academic credentials and employment in growing industries.” Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, echoed this in the Council’s press release: “This is more than just a historic budget—it is a bold commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker has access to opportunity, dignity, and the resources they need to thrive.”
Mental and Maternal Health Workforce: Substantive Gains
The FY26 budget makes clear progress on care-sector priorities laid out in the op-ed, which pointed to a projected 300,000-job expansion in the health sector by 2030. The Council responded with funding for behavioral health services—including $11 million for Intensive Mobile Treatment teams and $4.5 million to expand the peer workforce—and maternal health supports like $1.5 million for Nurse-Family Partnership. Morris and Farías wrote: “Investing in care infrastructure addresses urgent community needs, creating opportunities for workers to advance into higher-wage roles in social services, ambulatory care, and behavioral health.”
Libraries, Parks, and Cultural Workers: Tangible Progress
The budget reflects the op-ed’s call to restore and expand investments in cultural institutions and community anchors that double as employment hubs. It includes $75 million for arts and culture (including $45M baselined), $30.7 million for libraries, and $6.1 million for additional parks workers. In the op-ed, Morris and Farías emphasized that “Parks, libraries, and cultural institutions are job hubs and engines of neighborhood vitality.” Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee, echoed this in the budget announcement: “We fought for a budget that uplifts working families and delivers meaningful support to all New Yorkers.”
Housing Gains, Pipeline Missing
While the budget includes $4 billion in capital and $1 billion in expense funding for housing under the “City for All” plan, it stops short of investing in the workforce needed to deliver on those commitments. The op-ed warned: “If we don’t embed workforce equity into major capital projects from their onset, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past.” The FY26 budget makes meaningful progress by expanding housing construction supports and updating key funding mechanisms—laying a strong foundation for long-term impact. The next step is clear: pairing these investments with targeted training, hiring, and retention strategies to ensure New Yorkers are prepared to build, maintain, and manage the housing our city needs. With the capital commitments in place, the City now has a powerful opportunity to activate workforce pipelines that turn development into inclusive economic opportunity.
City Jobs and Contracting: A Critical Gap That Demands Attention
This remains one of the most under-addressed areas. In the Crain’s op-ed, Morris and Farías highlighted “nearly 20,000 vacant city jobs” and the mounting pressures on the city contracting as a critical equity and service-delivery issue. Yet the adopted budget offers only limited support, including $7.4 million for MOCS PASSport system maintenance and $1.5 million for help desk staffing. While this year’s budget did not include major initiatives to build city hiring pipeline, there’s still time to course-correct. As the op-ed emphasized, “If we want our City to function and grow equitably, we must fund the people who power it.” With months remaining in the fiscal year, City leaders have a critical opportunity to prioritize workforce investments that strengthen public systems, support service providers, and ensure New Yorkers aren’t left waiting for the services they need.