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The income and education divide among New Yorkers has been ever-widening, even before the pandemic. To address these disparities, the New York Jobs CEO Council was launched to open doors and create sustainable career paths for New Yorkers historically shut out of opportunities. An early EY member of the council, Alysia Steinmann, is fostering business, community and education partnerships to provide training and apprenticeships for underserved New Yorkers. The council aims to hire 100,000 New Yorkers by 2030, including 25,000 City University of New York (CUNY) students.
Why was the New York Jobs CEO Council created?
CEOs of New York City’s largest organizations came together to form a coalition that would maximize job opportunities for New Yorkers in diverse and low-income communities. This includes training, credentialing and creating additional internships and apprenticeships at their companies. The traditional four-year college path isn’t the most tangible one for everyone; many of the skills needed for the most in-demand careers can be obtained through on-the-job training, credentialing and two-year associate’s degrees. Using their scale and resources, these organizations are providing more equitable access to training, skill building and professional opportunities, ultimately equipping New Yorkers for the jobs needed today, as well as the jobs of tomorrow.
How does the council approach workforce training differently?
In Switzerland, 70% of students choose apprenticeships after high school, and 30% of them stay with their training company or return to it after they go to college. Here in the US, if you decide to do something vocational or go right to work instead of college, it often excludes you from opportunities. The New York Jobs CEO Council views youth and college apprenticeships as just another career pathway. We want to give opportunities for underserved people to gain credentials and work experience whether they go to two years of college, four years college or none at all.
What kinds of partnerships does the council have?
The council currently works with the City University of New York (CUNY), New York City’s Department of Education, the Department of Labor, community organizations and other strategic partners. This past year we worked with CUNY on co-designing the curriculum for a micro-credentialing program for students to gain skills and competencies they need to land internships and jobs. Over 1,500 students participated in the first cohort.
What inspires you most about the New York Jobs CEO Council’s mission?
I’m excited for students who are just starting either the youth or college apprenticeships. When they complete them, they’ll be qualified for a job at Ernst & Young LLP or any of the companies on the council. I’m also excited for people who may need a career change. Maybe they have a degree, but they’re having a hard time finding a job. They will be able to attend CUNY, take one of our micro-credential programs and get certified for in-demand technology skills. Because the CEO Council companies codeveloped these credentials, you can earn qualifications and can go right to one of our now 28 employers to apply for jobs. It’s a game-changer — for them and New York.