Mayor pivots to workforce readiness, which is good news for business

As Mayor Eric Adams gave his second State of the City address last week, he demonstrated a new emphasis on workforce readiness. Adams pivoted from the public safety mayor to the jobs mayor, and that’s good news for business. Of course both are essential. But his new workforce and job-creation proposals are salves for a city that is lagging the nation in employment since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. Especially for people who came of age during the lockdown years, there is a need to nd a solid perch in the work world.

accessible to all New Yorkers. As Adams noted, the unemployment rate for Black New Yorkers is at least three times as high as for white New Yorkers.

ADAMS delivers his second State of the City address president & ceo K.C. Crain group publisher Jim Kirk publisher/executive editor

Frederick P. Gabriel Jr.

EDITORIAL editor-in-chief Cory Schouten, cory.schouten@crainsnewyork.com managing editor Telisha Bryan assistant managing editors Anne Michaud, Amanda Glodowski director of audience and engagement Elizabeth Couch audience engagement editor Jennifer Samuels digital editor Taylor Nakagawa art director Carolyn McClain photographer Buck Ennis senior reporters Cara Eisenpress, Aaron Elstein, C.J. Hughes, Eddie Small reporters Nick Garber, Jacqueline Neber, Natalie Sachmechi, Caroline Spivack op-ed editor Jan Parr, opinion@crainsnewyork.com sales assistant Ryan Call to contact the newsroom: editors@crainsnewyork.com www.crainsnewyork.com/staff

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Done right, workforce programs can help connect more New Yorkers to viable career paths and high-demand jobs while providing employers with the talent they need. Additionally, job training and workforce development programs can help create a more equitable economy by making employment opportunities more

The Pandemic Disrupted Training And Development Opportunities

Among Adams’ initiatives are the Apprenticeship Accelerator, which aims to connect 30,000 New Yorkers to viable career paths; mentorships for aspiring nurses; and programs to connect people who have disabilities to high-paying jobs. e mayor announced investments in the CUNY 2X Tech program, as well as a new biotechnology hub at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He also discussed plans for cannabis shops, including enforcement against unlicensed outlets, and a new loan fund to help New Yorkers impacted by the so-called war on drugs start businesses. In addition, he said, the city will boost the amount of money awarded via city contracts to minority- and woman-owned business enterprises.

e pandemic accelerated opportunities for digital learning, remote work and other exible arrangements, but it also resulted in economic disruption that made

OP-ED it harder for employers to provide training and development opportunities. e pandemic also highlighted existing disparities in access to education and job training, with low-income and minority communities being disproportionately a ected. Let’s ensure that New York comes back in full force. Adams is right to emphasize investing in opportunities for New Yorkers who haven’t recovered from the pandemic’s e ects.

Workforce programs might take time to show results, but their long-term bene ts are certain to be bountiful. ■