NYC Workforce Board Digs in on Workforce Pell, WIOA Budget

The NYC Workforce Development Board held its spring quarterly meeting on Wednesday, June 3.

In addition to brief remarks by Deputy Mayor Julie Su and a presentation from the Department of Youth and Community Development on its Hats & Ladders application, the agenda included an update on New York’s progress toward implementing Workforce Pell, a federal policy passed last year that goes into effect on July 1. The meeting concluded with a spirited discussion and eventual vote on the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 WIOA budget. 

The full video of the meeting is available from the Board’s home page. Below, we take a closer look at the two main subjects.

Workforce Pell 

CUNY Vice Chancellor for Career Engagement and Industry Partnerships Lauren Andersen, who represents Chancellor Félix Matos-Rodríguez on the Board, provided an overview of Workforce Pell and took questions from Board members.  

As a reminder, Workforce Pell—passed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025—expands Pell Grant eligibility to shorter-duration programs of 150-599 hours, or 8-15 weeks, that confer credit toward a recognized higher education credential. Eligible programs must be portable (retaining their value across institutions) and stackable (additive in increments toward a degree), and aligned to high-skill, high-wage, in-demand jobs. 

Additional requirements include that programs must be at least one year old, and able to show a verified completion rate of at least 70 percent, with a verified job placement rate of at least 70 percent of completers within 180 days of finishing the program. As Andersen pointed out, this presents a double challenge: the time requirement means that CUNY (or any other institution of higher education) can’t just launch new programs, and even most programs already in place have not had the infrastructure to collect the necessary data. 

While the federal government has weighed in with the administrative rule released in May, much remains to be determined at the state level. Each state’s governor must set definitions for portability and stackability, and establish processes and policies around how programs can prove their outcomes as well as governance. New York’s experience with “TAP for Workforce”—a recent expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) that expanded state funding for workforce programs offered through higher education—provides some guidance here. CUNY is proposing that the state manage Workforce Pell through an advisory council distinct from Workforce TAP, which is run through the Higher Education Services Corporation.  

Andersen emphasized that Workforce Pell will be a slow build, in New York and elsewhere. Asked how many programs will qualify when the policy goes into effect in July, she responded that between SUNY and CUNY, the initial number could be under 100. 

Our Take

Workforce Pell’s strict eligibility requirements, and the initially small number of qualifying programs, are likely to frustrate many stakeholders who rightly perceive an urgent need for more resources. Understandable as this is, the field should not lose sight of the real potential here: to leverage this new funding stream in ways that help expand the reach and quality of NYC’s larger workforce ecosystem. 

For one thing, the data infrastructure needed to render more programs eligible for Workforce Pell should serve the entire system. One chronic challenge for workforce advocates is proving the value of our programs and services—not just with stories, but with numbers. The City and state have a strong interest in working with CUNY (and SUNY) to build that capacity in a way that can support programs beyond those offered across the two higher ed systems. 

Vice Chancellor Andersen also suggested that Workforce Pell could represent a great opportunity to direct more support toward incumbent workers, who could move up into higher wage roles with additional skills and credentials. We couldn’t agree more. As NYCETC pointed out in last year’s Putting Our Dollars to Work report, the city is home to roughly 900,000 New Yorkers who are employed in low-wage positions. Helping them move up would advance the Mamdani administration’s economic justice agenda—and shift the perception of the workforce system from being focused merely on job placement to a broader emphasis on long-term economic mobility. 

Finally, it’s important to note that as written, Workforce Pell is not oriented toward community-based organizations. Andersen noted that by rule, 75 percent of federal funds must go toward the institution of higher education offering the program, limiting the value proposition for partnering nonprofits. If the City is serious about building the system, it must consider how to supplement those dollars to build more effective norms for referrals and supportive services to help potential Workforce Pell grantees access and successfully complete training. 

WIOA FY 2027 Budget

The other topic of note at the meeting came when WDB members raised questions regarding the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) budget. NYC Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Doug Lipari announced that the City absorbed a nearly 6 percent reduction in formula funding for WIOA compared to last year, with the total allocation dropping from $87.4 million to $82.2 million. Adult and Dislocated Worker (DW) funding was cut by 8.3 percent, while Youth program dollars fell by 1.4 percent. 

While the WIOA Youth budget was approved without issue, Board member and DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido announced that he would be voting against the Adult/DW budget. He noted two objections: the lack of support within the budget for the 10 percent of NYC’s workforce who are government employees, and the uneven playing field between for-profit and nonprofit providers in competing for contracts to operate Workforce1 Career Centers, which the Board approved last year. Specifically, for-profit providers—who hold all but one of the Workforce1 contracts—receive an up-front fee of up to 20 percent for operating the Centers, and have the advantage of being able to fund operations ahead of time by virtue of their larger margins. 

Although a number of Board members echoed Garrido’s concerns, the budget ultimately won approval. The Board additionally approved a motion to submit questions related to the disparity between for-profit and nonprofit providers to the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), which is obligated to respond in writing within 90 days. 

Our Take

As City officials pointed out, WIOA rules mandate that both for-profit and nonprofit providers are eligible to bid on contracts to operate workforce centers. The disparities Garrido pointed out, however, are of genuine concern and beg the question of whether alternate arrangements might free up more dollars to support services.  

SBS and the Mayor’s Office can set the parameters for contracts in a variety of ways. As WDB co-chair Merrill Pond observed, other jurisdictions have made different choices to facilitate a stronger role for nonprofit community-based providers, and offer potential lessons for New York City. NYCETC looks forward to engaging in this discussion over the months and years to come. 

Other Takeaways

  • NYC Talent Executive Director Doug Lipari shared that the U.S. Department of Labor came to NYC to conduct an audit earlier this spring. A formal statement of findings is expected in late July, to which the City will respond and make any necessary adjustments. Lipari indicated that the federal auditors were impressed with a number of City practices, including its usage of community partner networks, cohort-based training, and policies related to Individual Training Grants.
  • Lipari also referenced that NYC Talent is deploying “a new set of labor market intelligence resources” related to the City’s Industry Partnerships focused on manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare.   
  • While presenting on Hats & Ladders, DYCD Associate Commissioner Julia Breitman and Assistant Commissioner Nurus Salam mentioned that 40 percent of employers surveyed last year following the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) indicated that they either offered continued employment or invited their participants back for 2026. Data on the nature and extent of year-to-year employer retention in SYEP traditionally has been limited; from a system-building perspective, this is a potentially significant development. 
  • Finally, Board Co-Chair Adria Powell, Doug Lipari and others acknowledged that this Board meeting was the first in many years without longtime WDB Executive Director Chris Neale, who resigned his role earlier this spring to become Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP). NYCETC looks forward to continuing our long relationship with Chris in his new role.

Suggested Readings

Watch the Recording

NYC Workforce Development Board Meeting – June 3, 2026

NEW YORK, NY — June 11, 2026 — The Association for a Better New York (ABNY) and the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC), with analysis by HR&A Advisors, today released Making Growth Matter: The Trends Shaping New York City’s Future of Work, a new data-driven report examining the economic, demographic, workforce, and housing trends shaping New York City’s future of work. The report finds that, while New York City has surpassed its pre-pandemic employment peak, reaching 4.65 million jobs in 2025, the benefits of that growth have been unevenly distributed across industries, occupations, demographic groups, and boroughs.

Among the report’s key findings:

  • New York City has recovered the jobs lost during the pandemic and surpassed its pre-pandemic employment peak, but job growth is outpacing the conditions needed for workers to thrive. 
  • New York is creating jobs nearly twice as fast as housing units are being built, worsening affordability pressures and making it harder for workers and families to remain in the city.
  • The industries fueling growth in New York City are relatively accessible, but don’t provide stable wages for workers to thrive. Healthcare is driving job growth in the City, but the median wage for those jobs leaves workers unable to afford the median rent. 
  • Roughly 1.4 million New Yorkers work in jobs where the median wage has declined in real terms since 2019, meaning that one-third of New Yorkers are earning less today than before the pandemic.
  • Affordability challenges are steepest for workers in jobs that have traditionally offered a pathway to the middle class. 65% of occupations that do not require a four-year degree pay a median wage nearly $60,000 less than roles that do require a four-year degree.
  • Sun Belt metros are outpacing the New York metro in adding higher-wage jobs. For every high-wage job the New York region added in finance, insurance, real estate, and professional services, Dallas added three. 
  • Although the City has surpassed its peak employment prior to the pandemic, the recovery is leaving New Yorkers behind, especially Black New Yorkers and Bronx residents. Black New Yorkers are the only racial or ethnic group whose unemployment rate increased from 2015 to 2025, rising from 8.0% to 8.5%. The Bronx continues to have the city’s highest unemployment rate at 8.2%, compared to 5.4% citywide.

“Affordability is a critical issue, and part of the solution is reducing costs for childcare, housing, and groceries, but we can’t lose sight of the other side of the equation: access to good-paying jobs,” said ABNY CEO Emma Pfohman. “Our report Making Growth Matter highlights sobering data—Black unemployment continues to rise, roughly one-third of workers are earning less in real terms than before the pandemic, and we’re falling behind peer cities in creating many of the higher-wage jobs that support the middle class. We look forward to advancing a whole-of-society approach across business, labor, nonprofits, and government to ensure competitiveness and economic opportunity move forward together, and that growth translates into good jobs and affordability for all New Yorkers.”

“This report makes clear we need to focus on growing and attracting good paying jobs for New Yorkers, find ways to reduce the cost of living here, and ensure that opportunity is expanded across every neighborhood,” said Steven Rubenstein, Chair of the Association for a Better New York. “Far too many New Yorkers can’t meet the cost of living. It’s now on the public and private sectors to focus together on how we can solve these difficult challenges and keep New York City a place where people and businesses can thrive.”

“Growth alone is not success,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO of NYCETC. “The real test is whether economic growth translates into economic mobility. Too many New Yorkers are powering the city’s economy without sharing fully in its prosperity. If we want a stronger, more competitive city, we need to connect more people to good jobs, rising wages, affordable housing, and clear pathways to the middle class. That is how economic growth becomes a broadly shared opportunity.”

“New York City’s greatest competitive advantage has always been its people, but that advantage is at risk if workers cannot afford to live, work, and raise families here,” said Kate Wittels, Partner HR&A Advisors. “The data points to a central challenge for the city’s future: job growth, wage growth, housing production, and workforce access can no longer be treated as separate issues. New York’s next era of growth must be built around an economy that is not only larger, but more inclusive, more affordable, and more durable for the people and businesses that depend on it.”

Making Growth Matter is intended to provide a shared data foundation for policymakers, civic leaders, employers, workforce providers, and advocates as they work to advance an economy that is more competitive, affordable, and equitable.

The full report is available for download here.

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About The Association for a Better New York

For more than 50 years, ABNY has worked as a catalyst to bring business, political, labor, and nonprofit leaders together to address problems challenging the economic and social well-being of the city. Under the leadership of Chairman Steven Rubenstein and CEO Emma Pfohman, the organization continues to carry out its mission by providing forums and programs that work to build a better New York for all.

About New York City Employment & Training Coalition

As the leading voice for workforce development in New York City, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)—founded in 1997—is the largest city-based workforce association in the nation. Our network of more than 220 member organizations empowers over 200,000 New Yorkers every year with comprehensive education, training, and employment opportunities, helping residents secure quality jobs and advance their economic mobility.

NYCETC advances policies, partnerships, and investments that expand economic opportunity and strengthen New York City’s economy. Working at the intersection of workforce development, education, business, labor, and economic development, our members connect New Yorkers—especially those from historically marginalized communities—to quality jobs, career pathways, and the supports needed to succeed. Together with employers and industry partners, we help build a more inclusive, competitive, and equitable economy that benefits all New Yorkers.

HR&A Advisors

HR&A Advisors, Inc. is a real estate and economic development consulting firm that helps cities tackle their most pressing challenges. For over 50 years, HR&A has guided public, private, and nonprofit leaders through high-stakes decisions that create impact. HR&A combines rigorous analysis with creative problem-solving to unlock investment, expand opportunity, and bring communities to life.

Media Contact

Jeffry Pennock, jeffry@hayesinitiative.com, (305) 815-6996

New York’s FY2027 budget contains several significant workforce-related investments that deserve recognition. The state committed an additional $1.7 billion toward expanding affordable child care, bringing total child care funding to approximately $4.5 billion and extending services to nearly 100,000 additional children. This investment in child care is fundamentally workforce infrastructure. By expanding affordable child care, the state can increase labor force participation, support working parents, stabilize providers, and create thousands of career opportunities in early childhood education. 

The budget also expands CUNY and SUNY Reconnect, which has already enrolled more than 12,000 New Yorkers in tuition-free degree pathways tied to high-demand industries, by broadening eligibility to include fields such as logistics, transportation, air traffic control, and emergency management. This connects directly to a broader workforce challenge facing New York around how to help more adults, including those with some college credit but no degree, access the education, training, and career pathways they need to advance in a changing economy.

In addition, the launch of New York Career Connect—an ambitious initiative intended to make New York the first state in the nation committed to delivering meaningful work-based learning experiences for every CUNY and SUNY graduate by 2030—demonstrates the recognition that CUNY and SUNY are economic engines. These programs can help connect students to careers in healthcare, technology, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, and emerging industries—including climate and the green economy. Degrees and credentials matter, but their value ultimately depends on whether they lead to employment, wage growth, and long-term economic mobility.

Additional investments include an Entertainment Diversity Job Training Development Fund, support to address teacher shortages through a new statewide task force, and more than $70 million in manufacturing and technology-related investments, including workforce training alongside research and innovation activities. Collectively, these investments represent billions of dollars directed toward talent development, labor force participation, and economic competitiveness.

Viewed individually, many of the FY2027 workforce commitments make sense. But what’s missing is a comprehensive vision that connects education, training, employer demand, economic development, and worker mobility.

Without that larger vision, even well-intentioned investments risk fragmentation. With it, New York can turn this year’s budget commitments into a durable foundation for business competitiveness, individual mobility, and shared prosperity.

This is particularly important as New York pursues broader economic development goals. Through initiatives such as ACHIEVE, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investments, climate and clean energy projects, healthcare expansion, and regional economic development strategies, the state is making substantial bets on future industries. Workforce development cannot be an afterthought to those investments. Talent pipelines, employer partnerships, career pathways, and work-based learning opportunities must be designed with and built into economic development initiatives rather than added after projects are underway.

Effective workforce programs help solve business challenges by effectively preparing jobseekers and workers. Employers across New York continue to face hiring shortages, retention challenges, skills gaps, and changing workforce demands driven by technology and demographic shifts. Workforce investments pay off when they help businesses access talent while simultaneously creating pathways to quality jobs and economic mobility.

NYCETC reflects this perspective through our work to support employer-driven healthcare partnerships, advance child care as workforce infrastructure, strengthen workforce data and accountability through the Workforce Benchmarking Network, support green economy career pathways, and foster employer-education alignment across the state. These efforts connect policy commitments to operational realities and ensure that public investments produce measurable outcomes—the central measure of success for the FY2027 budget. For example, it will be critical to track how many new early childhood educators enter and remain in the workforce, how many Reconnect participants complete degrees and secure employment in high-demand industries, and how effectively investments in manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and clean energy translate into quality jobs for New Yorkers.

The FY2027 state budget provides meaningful resources and important momentum. The next challenge is to transform these commitments into a unified workforce system. Workforce development is often discussed as a programmatic investment, but it is more accurately understood as economic infrastructure. Just as roads, transit systems, and utilities enable commerce and growth, workforce systems provide the talent, skills, and labor market connections that empower businesses, industries, and public institutions to thrive.

But infrastructure requires more than funding. It requires coordination, planning, and integration across systems. For these investments to result in shared prosperity, New York must focus intensely on getting implementation right to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness and expand economic mobility across the Empire State.

Suggested Reading

NEW YORK, NY, May 29, 2026 — The New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC), representing more than 220 workforce development and training providers across the five boroughs, today announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors and Advisory Council. 

Together, these leaders will help advance NYCETC’s mission to expand access to quality jobs, strengthen New York City’s workforce development ecosystem, and create more equitable pathways to economic mobility for all New Yorkers.

The newly appointed leaders include:

Board of Directors

NYCETC’s Board of Directors provides governance and strategic oversight for the organization, helping guide its advocacy, policy priorities, member engagement, and long-term vision for New York City’s workforce development sector. 

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council brings together leaders from across industries and issue areas to offer perspective, expertise, and partnership in support of NYCETC’s mission.

“New York City’s economy is changing rapidly; the strength of our workforce system depends on the leaders, organizations, and partnerships working together to connect New Yorkers to opportunity,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO of NYCETC. “Adding Sunil and Diallo to our Board, and Keisha, Yahshaanyah, Courtney, and Celeste to our Advisory Council deepens the experience and perspective that guides our work. Their dynamic engagement and leadership will help ensure our efforts remain responsive to the needs of businesses, workers, and communities while advancing a more equitable and competitive New York City economy.”

“Sunil Gupta and Diallo Shabazz bring the kind of leadership NYCETC needs at this moment: grounded in community, focused on results, and deeply committed to expanding economic opportunity for New Yorkers,” said Leslie Abbey, CEO, Hot Bread Kitchen and NYCETC Board Co-Chair. “Their experience across education, workforce development, sustainability, and adult learning will strengthen our Board and our collective work to build pathways that help more New Yorkers access good jobs, build stability, and contribute to a stronger city. We are thrilled to welcome them to NYCETC’s Board and look forward to the perspective, partnership, and urgency they will bring to this work.”

“NYCETC’s strength has always come from the breadth and depth of leaders around the table — people who understand that workforce development is not a single program or intervention, but a citywide strategy for opportunity, equity, and economic mobility,” said Christopher Watler, Executive Vice President at Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and NYCETC Board Co-Chair. “Diallo and Sunil bring valuable expertise, lived commitment to this work, and a clear understanding of what it takes to connect people to training, credentials, and careers that can change the trajectory of their lives. As Co-Chair, I’m excited to welcome them to the Board and to work alongside them as we continue pushing for a more equitable workforce system that advances all New Yorkers and moves our city forward.”

“I’m honored to join the NYCETC Board and support an organization that has long played such an important role in strengthening New York City’s workforce ecosystem. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative access to education, training, and career pathways can be for individuals and communities,” said Sunil B. Gupta, Vice President, Division of Adult Continuing Education & Workforce Development, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members and contributing to NYCETC’s efforts to expand opportunity, strengthen employer partnerships, and help more New Yorkers connect to meaningful careers and economic mobility.”

“NYCETC’s work speaks directly to the kind of systems change New York City needs — workforce solutions rooted in equity, community, and tangible pathways to economic mobility,” said Diallo Shabazz, Managing Director, Braven Solutions and Chief Executive Officer, STEAM Engine. “Expanding opportunity requires more than good intentions; it requires strong partnerships, accountable institutions, and a commitment to making sure New Yorkers have access to the training, support, and connections they need to thrive. I’m honored to join NYCETC’s Board and help advance a workforce agenda that centers people, strengthens communities, and opens doors to careers, allowing New Yorkers and their families to thrive.”

“New York City is full of talented people with stories to tell, skills to build, and futures to shape. Through Reel Works’ workforce program, MediaMKRS, we create tangible pathways into media and entertainment careers by bridging training, mentorship, credentials, and employer partnerships,” said Keisha Katz, Senior Director of Workforce Partnerships, Reel Works. “I’m excited to join NYCETC’s Advisory Council and work with partners across the city to expand access, build more inclusive career pathways, and make sure emerging talent has a seat at the table.”

“NYCETC’s Advisory Council brings together leaders who understand that workforce development is central to neighborhood strength, small business growth, and long-term economic opportunity,” said Yahshaanyah Hill, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation. “At UMEZ, our strategic grantmaking strengthens local institutions and creates economic opportunities for Upper Manhattan residents. We also facilitate economic development throughout New York City by providing businesses and projects with needed capital. I’m honored to join NYCETC’s Advisory Council and contribute to a citywide effort focused on building stronger career pathways, connecting communities to opportunity, and ensuring that economic growth reaches the New Yorkers and neighborhoods that need it most.”

“I’m honored to join NYCETC’s Advisory Council. At Project Renewal, our workforce programs are built on the understanding that lasting employment requires more than job placement — it takes housing stability, health support, and dignity,” said Courtney Granger, LMSW, Vice President of Workforce Development, Project Renewal. “NYCETC brings together partners who share that conviction, and I look forward to contributing to a coalition working to strengthen the systems that help New Yorkers truly thrive.”

“NYCETC plays a vital role in convening practitioners, employers, policymakers, and community leaders together around a shared commitment to building a stronger, more equitable workforce system for New Yorkers,” said Celeste Frye, CEO & Principal, Public Works Partners. “At Public Works Partners, we believe lasting impact happens when institutions are equipped to better serve communities through thoughtful strategy, strong partnerships, and community-centered implementation. I’m honored to join NYCETC’s Advisory Council and contribute to advancing practical, people-centered solutions that expand economic opportunity, strengthen organizations, and help New Yorkers access the pathways to long-term success and stability.”

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About New York City Employment and Training Coalition

As the largest city-based workforce development association in the country, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) supports the workforce and economic development community to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the skills, training and education needed to thrive in the local economy; and that every business can maintain a highly skilled workforce. Throughout its 25-year history, NYCETC has sought to increase the availability of and access to investments and supports that position underserved New Yorkers — primarily New Yorkers of color, New Yorkers with low- or moderate incomes, New Yorkers with multiple barriers to employment, and New Yorkers who have been left out of the growing economy due to systemic and historic marginalization – for success in the workforce. Currently, 224 organizations are members of the NYCETC. These organizations are responsible for serving the needs of 200,000+ New Yorkers seeking access to education and employment opportunities each year. The primary recipients of services are women, young adults (18-24 years of age), public housing residents, justice-impacted individuals, and immigrants.  

Media Contact

Emily Kaufold, emily@hayesinitative.com, (203) 295-5783

NEW YORK, NY, May 28, 2026 – A new report from the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) finds that building a coordinated, demand-driven green workforce is essential to delivering both climate progress and affordability for New Yorkers. On the Ground: An Affordable Climate Economy outlines how aligning workforce development, business needs, and city leadership can unlock economic opportunity while advancing sustainability goals.

The report emphasizes that the green economy is not only a climate imperative but also a major economic opportunity, potentially creating at least 360,000 jobs by 2040, while lowering costs for residents through more efficient infrastructure, energy systems, and housing.

Key report takeaways include:

  • Align climate and affordability goals: Frame the green economy around tangible benefits—lower utility bills, accessible transit, and stable jobs—to broaden impact and support.
  • Treat workforce development as economic infrastructure: Better integrate training providers with business services to ensure talent pipelines meet real employer demand.
  • Deliver locally: Support neighborhood-based small businesses and community organizations to connect New Yorkers to green jobs where they live.
  • Leverage city government as a model employer: Use public-sector hiring and procurement to set the standard for effective workforce development.
  • Invest in hands-on training capacity: Expand access to physical training spaces and emerging technologies critical to the clean energy transition.

The report concludes that stronger coordination across employers, educators, workforce providers, and government can turn climate investments into accessible, good-paying jobs, making New York City both more resilient and more affordable.

“New York City’s climate future and its affordability crisis are deeply connected, and both hinge on whether we build the workforce to deliver real, on-the-ground solutions,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO, NYCETC. “The green economy can lower costs for New Yorkers, expand access to quality careers, and strengthen neighborhoods across the five boroughs. By better aligning training, business needs, and public investment, we can turn the transition to a cleaner, more resilient city into real opportunity for all.”

“As NYCETC’s report makes clear, climate action and economic justice must go hand in hand. The transition to a green economy is an opportunity to lower costs, strengthen communities, and create real pathways into family-sustaining careers for working-class New Yorkers,” said Assembly Member Amanda N. Septimo. “To make that vision real, we must invest in workforce development and ensure the jobs of the future are accessible to the communities most impacted by inequality and climate change.” 

“New York City’s climate future begins and ends with workers,” said Council Member Julie Won. “This wonderful report makes clear that there is no way through one of the biggest challenges of our time without the training, empowering, and investment in New Yorkers who will rewire our grid, build bioswales, and ensure a resilient future for us all. New York City’s green economy holds the promise of 360,000 good jobs, but that promise is only fulfilled when we invest in the New Yorkers ready to do the work.”

“As New York’s green economy grows, affordability and access have to be built in from the start,” said Leslie Abbey, CEO, Hot Bread Kitchen. “For New Yorkers who face barriers to employment, that means creating intentional pathways into these emerging roles—especially in sectors where they’ve traditionally been underrepresented.”

“A workforce strategy that leaves out people with barriers to employment, especially justice-impacted people who comprise the largest pool of untapped talent, limits both impact and reach,” said Christopher Watler, Executive Vice President, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). “Expanding access to family-sustaining jobs is the foundation of the green economy.”

“Emerging industries can feel out of reach for young people navigating real barriers,” said Kalilah Moon, Executive Director, Drive Change. “What matters is building entry points that are concrete, supported, and connected to actual opportunity, so that the green economy is something they can step into, not just hear about.”

“The green economy is accelerating, and demand for skilled workers in green jobs is rising just as quickly,” said Debbie Roman, NY Workforce Development Program Manager, National Grid. “Meeting that demand will require stronger coordination across employers, training providers, and public systems.”

“New York City’s transition to a greener economy must be matched by an equal commitment to building inclusive workforce pathways,” said Marjorie D. Parker, CEO and President of JobsFirst and JobsFirst NYC. “That means investing in the partnerships, training systems, and community connections that help New Yorkers access good careers and participate in the city’s long-term economic growth. I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with NYCETC and our Green Economy Network to advance this shared agenda, with a focus on young adult New Yorkers who are out of school and out of work.”

“The transition to a greener economy will only succeed if workforce systems are equipped to meet the moment,” said Sherazade Langlade-Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI). “That means investing not only in workers, but in the practitioners, organizations, and partnerships that help connect New Yorkers to opportunity. Building a more resilient city requires a workforce ecosystem that is coordinated, responsive, and grounded in equity.”

“New York’s green economy workforce development must serve businesses while staying worker-centered, building skills that drive real outcomes for industries and residents. It’s not a niche sector—it underpins affordable housing, reliable energy, and livable neighborhoods,” said Marco A. Carrión, President, The Consortium For Worker Education (CWE). “A coordinated, intentional workforce system can turn the ‘resiliency economy’ into a powerful jobs agenda, advancing climate goals, lowering costs, improving services, and creating accessible, family-sustaining careers while strengthening small businesses.”

“Green jobs and career pathways are core drivers of NYC’s overall economy. They represent clear platforms for connecting climate action with economic mobility,” said Tonya Gayle, Executive Director, Green City Force. “Expanding green job access to every New Yorker across all demographics and backgrounds is central to building stronger, more resilient communities.”

“Delivering an affordable climate economy depends on building stronger connections between employers, workforce providers, and the communities most impacted by climate and economic inequities,” said Angela N. Son, Founder and CEO of The Green Launchpad. “As demand grows for building decarbonization and energy efficiency work, New York must invest in the partnerships and training infrastructure that prepare New Yorkers for the jobs driving the city’s clean energy transition.”

“The continued growth of the green economy depends on a workforce that can install, manage, and maintain clean energy systems,” said Stephen Levin, CEO, Solar One. “Expanding access to those green jobs is a critical next step.”

“Green jobs offer real potential for economic mobility, but only when workforce programs are aligned with how employers hire,” said Tracey Capers, Executive Director, The HOPE Program. “Strengthening that connection is essential to making the green economy work.”

“The growth of the green economy is creating new pathways to stable work while advancing a more sustainable future for New York City. Turning that momentum into lasting careers requires intentional training, consistent support, and clear connections to employment,” said Jennifer Mitchell, President and CEO, The Doe Fund. “At The Doe Fund, we’re proud to integrate green jobs into a broader portfolio of industry training programs that open doors to long-term opportunity.”

“Small and mid-sized businesses are doing much of the on-the-ground work in the green economy, yet they’re often left out of workforce strategy,” said Aaron Shiffman, Executive Director, Building Works (BWI). “Bringing them into the fold through better access to talent and more responsive support is critical to making this transition function at scale.”

“As a citywide construction skills training provider with a focus on green jobs and energy efficiency, the Andromeda Community Initiative (ACI) strongly supports the report’s call for focused efforts to bridge employer and job seeker demand and for the deliberate leveraging of City projects to create true entry-level opportunities in this growing sector,” said David Nidus, Executive Director, Andromeda Community Initiative. “We urge the City to recognize that only with real investment in skills training and employer networks can true opportunity for more New Yorkers really be developed.” 

“The expansion of green jobs depends on how well workforce development is integrated into project delivery,” said David Meade, Executive Director, Building Skills NY. “Embedding workforce strategies directly into green economy investments is what drives results.”

“A strong green economy depends on more than skills—it depends on access to opportunity,” said Ayesha George, Executive Director at STRIVE New York. “When training is aligned with employer demand and backed by hiring partners, we create real pathways for New Yorkers to enter and grow in green careers.”

“New York City has a strong foundation of workforce programs and committed partners serving jobseekers and employers across the city,” said Paula Bailey, Executive Vice President, Grant Associates. “By continuing to strengthen the alignment between agencies, employers, and providers, we can build an even more human-centered system that delivers meaningful results at scale.”

“Staying focused on the green economy is an existential and economic imperative for cities everywhere, but meeting this moment will only be as promising as the systems we build to connect people to opportunity within it,” said Darren Bloch, NYCETC Board Member. “Expanding access to green jobs requires more than training alone—it calls for closer alignment between employers, workforce providers, government, and the communities where this work is happening; and I hope this report and analysis helps shed light on the urgency and opportunity of the moment.”

“New York’s workforce has the talent and drive to power the green economy,” said Kilsys Payamps-Roure, founding Executive Director of Braven New York City. “When training systems connect directly to where hiring is happening, capable New Yorkers are ready to step into these roles. Intentionally building those bridges will turn this moment into real mobility.”

“The green economy presents real opportunity, but only if workforce training, social supports, and employer demand are aligned,” said David Garza, President & CEO, Henry Street Settlement. “The coalition’s report is right on time because it acknowledges the three critical areas impacted by this work: economic justice for the community, fulfillment of industry needs, and protection of the climate from disasters that disproportionately affect lower-income communities. Creating this workforce structure is what allows more people to move into green jobs and what Henry Street Settlement and our partner Stacks+Joules have been working to achieve through our building automation systems training program, clean-energy internships, and more.”

“There’s a growing divide between where we’re cultivating talent and where green jobs are actually taking root,” said Diallo Shabazz, Managing Director, Braven Solutions. “And if we intend to build a green economy that is not only innovative, but inclusive and enduring, then closing that divide isn’t just good policy, it’s good governance.”

“As New York continues to grow its green economy, we have to make sure that opportunity is tangible for both workers and employers,” said Sunil Gupta, Vice President for Division of Adult Continuing Education & Workforce Development, LaGuardia Community College (CUNY). “Community colleges are uniquely positioned to help translate this moment into real career pathways by aligning training with industry needs and preparing New Yorkers for jobs that support both economic mobility and a more sustainable, affordable city.”

“Climate investments show up in very real ways for New Yorkers, through housing quality, safety, and cost,” said Valerie Payne, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together NYC. “The workforce behind that work is essential to making those benefits tangible across neighborhoods, especially for residents most impacted by aging infrastructure.”

“This report makes clear that New York City’s climate agenda will only succeed if we build the workforce systems to support it. That means aligning training, employer demand, and public investment so New Yorkers—especially those without traditional credentials—can access these careers,” said Ian Straughter, Executive Vice President & Chief Program Officer, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. “Neighborhood-based organizations are critical to making that connection real, and it’s the approach guiding our development of the SURGE initiative on Governors Island—a training hub designed to expand access to green economy careers.”

“The Urban Assembly remains committed to ensuring that students in New York City have access to the green jobs of the future,” said David Adams, CEO, The Urban Assembly. “From the Urban Assembly School for Green Careers to the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, innovation in education means exposing our students to skills that will enable them to thrive in a changing workforce.”

“As the green economy expands across New York City, access does not happen automatically, even when it occurs in or adjacent to communities historically marginalized and excluded,” said Greg Rideout & Evelyn Ortiz, Co-Chief Executive Officers, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. “Without structured pathways, aligned training, wraparound services, and employer partnership, these opportunities remain out of reach for the communities that need them most.”

“The green economy is active and growing across New York City’s industrial spaces,” said Nikki Evans, Senior Vice President of Workforce Development, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. “At the Navy Yard, we know how critical it is for companies and workforce systems to connect, cooperate, and create meaningful infrastructure to help workers navigate varied career opportunities in the green sector. I am thrilled to see this report highlight and support making the Green Economy more accessible through workforce development. ”  

“Connecting neighborhoods to the green economy is what makes opportunity real,” said Michael Partis, Executive Director, Red Hook Initiative (RHI). “When we expand access to green jobs at the local level, we create pathways to stable careers, strengthen community resilience, and make sure the benefits of climate investment reach the people and neighborhoods they’re meant to serve.” 

“The growth of the green economy presents an opportunity to expand access to green jobs in the trades,” said Leah Rambo, President, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW). “That progress depends on intentional strategies that open doors and support retention for women.”

“For young people, access to the green economy depends on early exposure and structured pathways,” said Robert T. Taylor, Executive Director, Youth Action Programs and Homes, Inc. “Without them, green jobs remain difficult to access.”

“As New York City’s green economy continues to grow, the success of this transition will depend on how effectively we connect New Yorkers to these opportunities,” said Associate Dean Christine Zagari LoPorto, Kingsborough Community College, Division of Workforce Development and Continuing Education. “This report highlights the critical role of workforce development systems in ensuring that climate investments translate into equitable, accessible careers for communities across the city.” 

“The green economy intersects directly with housing, infrastructure, and community development,” said Larry Rothchild, Senior Managing Director of Workforce Development, St. Nicks Alliance. “Workforce strategies must include career exploration, career training  for Green Economy jobs, while connecting our community to green jobs  and preparing them for career advancement opportunities that support economic sustainability in North and Central Brooklyn and across NYC.”

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About New York City Employment and Training Coalition

As the largest city-based workforce development association in the country, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) supports the workforce and economic development community to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the skills, training and education needed to thrive in the local economy; and that every business can maintain a highly skilled workforce. Throughout its 25-year history, NYCETC has sought to increase the availability of and access to investments and supports that position underserved New Yorkers — primarily New Yorkers of color, New Yorkers with low- or moderate incomes, New Yorkers with multiple barriers to employment, and New Yorkers who have been left out of the growing economy due to systemic and historic marginalization – for success in the workforce. Currently, 224 organizations are members of the NYCETC. These organizations are responsible for serving the needs of 200,000+ New Yorkers seeking access to education and employment opportunities each year. The primary recipients of services are women, young adults (18-24 years of age), public housing residents, justice-impacted individuals, and immigrants.  

Media Contact

Emily Kaufold, emily@hayesinitiative.com, (203) 295-5783