New York, NY – New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the launch of New York City Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers (PINCC). This will provide career opportunities to about 2,300 low-income New Yorkers in two high-growth sectors of the city’s economy over the next three years.
“All New Yorkers deserve to earn a living wage and share in our city’s prosperity, and that’s why I’m proud to announce the Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers,” said Mayor Adams. “With the support of an $18.6 million federal grant, we are taking major steps towards making sure that thousands of New Yorkers have access to jobs that they can support a family with while giving our city’s employers access to the talent they need to thrive. This is a dynamic new approach to workforce development and a major shift from the previous way jobseekers and employers were served. And this isn’t just about a single program — we are applying this same philosophy to revolutionize our approach to talent development in New York City by signing an executive order to streamline the efforts of nearly two dozen city agencies and offices that administer these programs. Lives will be changed because of this work and employers will be provided with a strong talent pipeline needed to grow.”
The program will be funded with an $18.6 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in response to New York City’s winning proposal to the Good Jobs Challenge created under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. PINCC engages through all three phases of the employment cycle: recruitment and training, job placement, retention, and advancement. The program projects to train about 2,300 New Yorkers and help place them in high-wage and/or unionized jobs. Participants will be targeted for specific interest in construction and industrial careers, matched with training appropriate for their skills and ambitions. Participants will be placed and provided ongoing support through an extensive set of employer relationships.
“On behalf of the affiliates of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, I’d like to commend the City of New York for leading this successful Good Jobs Challenge grant application,” said Vincent Alvarez, president, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. “By partnering with the Building and Construction Trades, AFSCME DC 37, TWU Local 100, and the Consortium for Worker Education, the city is acknowledging the role organized labor plays in providing lifelong opportunity, safe and dignified working conditions, superior wages, family-supporting benefits and pay equity for all. We thank Mayor Adams and his agency leaders for forging this powerful partnership.”
Key partners on PINCC include two “catalyst” organizations: the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development and the nonprofit Consortium for Worker Education. Both organizations will engage with employers, while the New York City Human Resources Administration will be responsible for recruiting participants. The construction industry in New York City offers stable careers across a wide variety of jobs and is always seeking qualified and skilled tradespeople.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that New York City won this prestigious grant,” said Anthony Utano, president, of Transport Workers Local 100. “We have been partnering with the Consortium for Worker Education for nearly 20 years, and we know that this new funding will result in real economic progress for members of our communities and their families. More men and women will receive the training necessary to get good union jobs, and more transit workers in TWU Local 100 will get training to improve on their existing skills and secure promotions. Simply put, this is a very good development for blue-collar New York.”
“The Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers Program will provide great career-track opportunities for communities of color in New York,” said Joe Azzopardi, business manager and secretary-treasurer, District Council 9 of Painters and Allied Trades. “We thank President Biden and his administration for awarding New York City with this vital grant and look forward to working with Mayor Adams and communities across New York City as we continue to revitalize our city and build a pathway to the middle class for many New Yorkers.”
The mayor’s executive order: Creates a citywide, cross-agency plan on talent and workforce development, which will be prepared and presented to the mayor annually. Consolidates the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment and the implementation of the Project Labor Agreements/Community Hiring into Office of Talent and Workforce Development. Empowers the Office of Talent and Workforce Development to manage and make recommendations for the appointments to the Workforce Development Board. Moves four of the city’s current industry partnerships – healthcare, technology, construction, and manufacturing – into the Office of Talent and Workforce Development.
“As critical investment continues to be made in public works and development projects throughout New York City, creating an adequately trained and refined workforce is paramount for making these ventures successful and driving forward sustainable economic growth that provides good paying jobs and uplifts New York’s hard-working people,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “The Good Jobs Challenge will play a crucial role in creating that pathway for tradesmen and tradeswomen to pursue middle-class careers with benefits through union membership and apprenticeship programs. We look forward to supporting this initiative and the development of a world-class workforce that will be at the forefront of rebuilding New York into a global leader in the development and modern infrastructure.”
