Press Release

New York Jobs CEO Council Hires 40,000 Low-Income New Yorkers into Family-Sustaining Jobs in Three Years

June 27, 2024

2023 Annual Report Demonstrates 30 Member Companies’ Commitment to Democratize Access to Opportunity With Increases in the Percentage of Hires that Identify as Black or Asian, or Come From Low-Income Communities

New York City, New York — June 27, 2024—  Today, the New York Jobs CEO Council (Jobs Council) released its 2023 Annual Report highlighting progress towards its 30 member companies’ collective goal to hire 100,000 low-income New Yorkers, including 25,000 graduates from the City University of New York (CUNY). In just three years, the member companies have hired nearly 40,000 low-income New Yorkers into jobs paying a family-sustaining wage ($69,000 in 2023).

“We launched the Jobs Council in 2020 with a clear mission: to democratize access to opportunity across our city and create a workforce development system that gives every New Yorker the chance to thrive,” said Jobs Council Executive Chair, JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon. “Our companies are collectively sourcing and hiring great local talent to the benefit of our businesses, our community, and our city’s economy. In the face of new challenges — economic uncertainty, an evolving labor market, and new policy issues — the work of the Jobs Council is more critical than ever.” 

Since its inception the Jobs Council has worked to eliminate barriers to family-sustaining wages by removing degree requirements, building new earn-and-learn pathways, and practicing skills- based hiring. As a result, these companies have filled an increasing percentage of their high-paying jobs with New Yorkers from under-resourced communities over the past three years. And, in 2023 alone, member companies hired more than 4,200 New Yorkers without a four-year degree into roles paying $69,000 or more.

“The data highlights the impact that’s possible when business leaders are committed to collectively advancing a mission,” said Jobs Council Executive Director Kiersten Barnet. “We’re driving private-public collaboration to help schools and colleges tailor their programs to in-demand skills, connect youth with well-paying job opportunities, and help businesses take advantage of the exceptional talent in our backyards. It’s a win-win-win for all New Yorkers.” 

The new report also showcases the partnership between the Jobs Council and CUNY to connect local talent to careers with upward mobility. In 2023, more than 4,000 CUNY students were engaged through the Jobs Council talent network, 902 students were hired into paid internship positions at member companies, and 1,815 graduates secured early career positions at member companies paying more than $69,000 — 73% of whom identified as people of color.

“After a successful 12-week tenure in the internship program, I was considered for and accepted an offer to work as a full-time junior software engineer at Deloitte Consulting, LLP,” said Bryan Cortes, a first-generation college student from Bronx Community College who participated in a Jobs Council apprenticeship program. “I was overjoyed by the offer. I felt that my career and my life could change significantly and that I might have the opportunity to impact the lives of my friends and family.”

“Last year, I completed a finance apprenticeship at AIG through the Jobs Council. I learned so much through the program, gained first-hand experience in data analysis and investment portfolio management, and even earned college credit,” said Candice Cruz, a mother-of-two children and recent graduate from Borough of Manhattan Community College. “Ultimately, I was hired full-time as an Investment Analyst.” 

With more than 10,000 low-income New Yorkers hired into jobs paying at least $69,000 in 2023, the Jobs Council’s momentum continues to build. CUNY interns were offered full-time roles at a higher rate than last year, Black hires into early career roles increased 19%, and the Jobs Council launched a Talent Portal to connect students more easily to in-demand roles. Moreover, in three years the Jobs Council saw a 52% increase in the percent of early career hires from low-income communities and doubled the percent of early career positions filled with CUNY graduates.

The Jobs Council remains committed to building a system that works for New Yorkers and makes it easier for everyone to make it. Employers committed to the mission and in need of local, diverse, and skilled talent are invited to join the movement. Interested companies can contact the Jobs Council directly at hirelocal@jobscouncil.org.

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About the New York Jobs CEO Council 

The New York Jobs CEO Council is a nonprofit membership intermediary that works to scale sustainable, market-driven workforce development solutions that benefit both jobseekers and businesses. Led by CEOs of large employers, the Jobs Council is committed to hiring 100,000 low-income New Yorkers into in-demand careers, including 25,000 jobseekers from the City University of New York (CUNY), by 2030. Jobs Council activities are rooted in the belief that stronger employment outcomes are required to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth in New York City.  

The full 2023 annual report can be found on the Jobs Council website: www.jobscouncil.org

Media Contact: Diana Arias, DArias@jobscouncil.org

*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.