New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced “Jobs NYC,” a new multi-pronged citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment. The collaborative effort will focus on three core pillars: 1) revamping the administration’s “hiring halls” to bring public and private job opportunities and career services to economically disadvantaged communities on a monthly basis in each borough, 2) launching a new Jobs.nyc.gov talent portal to connect New Yorkers to job and training opportunities, and 3) continuing to reform the city’s Minimum Qualification Requirements to make certain entry-level jobs within city government are more accessible. In June 2023, Mayor Adams removed the bachelor’s degree requirement for certain city jobs.
“While we have a lot to celebrate in recovering all of the private-sector jobs lost during the pandemic — more than a year ahead of schedule — our recovery has not been equitable and it has not yet reached every New Yorker. That’s why we are doing everything we can to make sure New York City remains a city for working-class people,” said Mayor Adams. “Black unemployment is still far too high in New York City and across the nation, but Jobs NYC will bring a whole-of-government effort to meet New Yorkers where they are — helping to build an economy of the future with real pathways to family-sustaining careers. This is how we ensure all New Yorkers, particularly those in Black and Brown communities, have access to the jobs of the 21st century, and this is how we can continue to recruit a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of our city. Jobs NYC will help us build a city where opportunity reaches every borough, block, and neighborhood.”
“We have recovered all of the private-sector jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that recovery has not been equitable,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “The unemployment rate for Black New Yorkers is 9.3 percent compared to 3 percent for white New Yorkers. This difference is unacceptable. Through a new jobs portal, hiring halls across the five boroughs, and changes to the Minimum Qualification Requirements for city jobs, we are making additional changes to close that gap. These investments build upon the Adams administration’s work throughout the past two years. We created job hubs in select neighborhoods, launched the largest public-private loan fund for small businesses in the city’s history, and set a $6 billion record in M/WBE awards. Today’s announcement ensures that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to participate in the city’s thriving economy.”
“At the start of this administration, we committed, through Executive Order 22, to invest in the city’s talent and workforce development systems,” said Deputy Mayor of Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Development Maria Torres Springer. “The key to that investment was to develop strategies that centralize, and better coordinate workforce services and programming for the benefit of New Yorkers who need them most. The Jobs NYC portal and Jobs NYC hiring halls — digital and physical points of entry to the city’s workforce system — bring public and private employment opportunities and workforce programming together in a central place, realizing the goal of a better centralized and coordinated talent and workforce development system that meets New Yorkers where they are.”
“Jobs NYC provides the full spectrum of resources a New Yorker needs to find a job, from a one-stop shop online portal to career training to job opportunities in both the private and public sectors, and delivers it right to the communities most in need,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “This all-hands-on-deck government approach will make it easier for New Yorkers to better participate in our economy and uplift entire communities. I want to thank all the community based organizations, government agency partners, private-sector collaborators, and my fellow deputy mayors who are ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to prosper in our economic recovery.”
