New York Jobs CEO Council Convenes City's Top Employers to Join Jobs Council Apprentice Network
Expanded National Apprentice Network Supports Mission to Spearhead Job Creation Efforts and Create New Career Pathways in New York City
NEW YORK, November 16, 2022 – Today, the New York Jobs CEO Council (“Jobs Council”), a nonprofit membership intermediary that works to scale sustainable, market-driven workforce development solutions, announced the launch of the Jobs Council Apprentice Network (“Apprentice Network”). The Apprentice Network will serve as a convening organization uniting the ecosystem of New York’s employers with established corporate apprenticeship programs. The Jobs Council Apprentice Network will lead efforts to bridge the gap between the city’s top employers and educational institutions, such as The City University of New York (CUNY), to increase awareness and adoption of corporate apprenticeship programs.
“The Jobs Council’s mission is to create sustainable career pathways to advance economic opportunity for low-income New Yorkers,” said Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director of the New York Jobs CEO Council. “Apprenticeship programs provide students with meaningful on-the-job experiences, building the in-demand skills that employers value. Expanding work-based learning opportunities is necessary for building a competitive workforce that is reflective of the rich diversity of New York City.”
Employers will maintain their in-house apprentice programs while gaining the benefits of Network membership. The impact of such programs will deliver results that: decrease barriers to entry, expand access to qualified talent, and develop more opportunities for career exposure. The Apprentice Network will also foster collaboration among companies that have apprenticeship programs and those interested in building new programs by sharing best practices, key learnings and insights for success.
“There is no shortage of incredible talent in New York City, and we’re excited to further advance our commitment to building an inclusive workforce that enables businesses to access talent, create new opportunities for those with untapped potential and represents the communities where we work and live through our partnership with the Jobs Council Apprentice Network,” said Laura Peterson, the office managing director for Accenture’s New York Metro region. “At Accenture, we know collaboration between business, educational institutions and the public sector is critical to move the needle in positive ways for the lives of New Yorkers. We look forward to connecting with these stakeholders through the Network and driving change through the apprenticeship movement.”
The Jobs Council Apprentice Network is building off the strength and success of established apprentice networks operated by Accenture, Aon and Zurich North America, to expand the collective efforts of New York’s employers with apprenticeship programs that increase employment outcomes and scale alternative career pathways. Since 2020, Apprentice Networks have been launched in Houston, Minnesota, New York, Northern California, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts and Detroit.
“Building off the success of creating Apprentice Networks in several other cities across the U.S., we are excited to collaborate with the New York Jobs CEO Council, Accenture and Zurich to create pathways to lower barriers, provide career opportunities, and enrich the lives of individuals in New York as we work with employers to scale apprenticeship programs to help build resilient workforces,” said, LeAnne McCorry, Aon’s chief executive officer of greater New York region.
Zurich North America, a leading multi-line insurance provider to businesses and individuals, launched its apprenticeship program at its suburban Chicago headquarters in 2016 and expanded it to New York in 2020. Zurich worked with Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) to launch BMCC’s first degree-based apprenticeship curriculum, which has grown to serve other companies.
“Apprenticeship is a win-win,” said Paul Lavelle, New York-based Head of U.S. National Accounts for Zurich North America. “This program opens the door to great careers for diverse talent from underrepresented communities, and these individuals bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to our work with our largest global customers.”
In advancing efforts to increase public-private partnership in New York’s workforce ecosystem, the Apprentice Network also contributes to New York City Mayor Eric Adams Office of Talent and Workforce Development’s promise to position New York residents and employers for success. By expanding apprenticeship opportunities available to New Yorkers from all backgrounds, the Apprentice Network is fulfilling the goals of the ‘Future of Workers’ taskforce, a working group of industry experts, to develop long-term, structural workforce changes and a more inclusive economy.
“Apprenticeship embraces employers as active participants in developing talent which is critical to an effective education and workforce system that delivers economic mobility and opportunity equitably,” said Abby Jo Sigal, executive Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “The Jobs Council Apprentice Network grows and diversifies the number of occupations with apprenticeships complementing Mayor Adams’ unwavering commitment to ensure the economic security and success of every New Yorker.”
The Jobs Council Apprentice Network builds on the Jobs Council’s mission to hire 100,000 low-income and diverse New Yorkers into in-demand careers, including 25,000 graduates from the City University of New York (CUNY), by 2030. In September, the Jobs Council announced the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship Program (CRYMA), a historic public-private partnership with Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks. CRYMA will connect 3,000 students across more than 50 New York City schools with paid multi-year apprenticeships at some of New York’s largest employers. Apprenticeships secured through the Jobs Council Apprentice Network will contribute to the 3,000 target goal.
About New York Jobs CEO Council
Formed in 2020, 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 Council is committed to hiring 100,000 low-income and diverse New Yorkers into in-demand careers, including 25,000 jobseekers from the City University of New York (CUNY). 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. For more information, please visit: https://nyjobsceocouncil.org
Media Contacts:
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New York Jobs CEO Council
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