Established in 2000, the New York City Workforce Funders (Workforce Funders) is a key entity in building a more effective workforce system for low-income job seekers in New York City. The Workforce Funders is a leader in identifying and developing initiatives at a city-wide level that enable funders, in partnership with non-profits and city government, to make changes at a citywide level. The NYC Workforce Development Fund in The New York Community Trust was established in 2001 to distribute funds to demonstration projects, capacity-building, and policy efforts. Since 2001 the Fund has raised more than $14.1 million from more than 20 private funders. In addition, each year the Workforce Funders undertakes a survey of private giving in New York City. In 2017 participating funders gave $76.7 million for workforce services in New York City—up from $18.4 million in 2004.
In 2004, the New York City Workforce Funders and the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) created the New York City Workforce Innovation Fund. The Workforce Funders and SBS have worked in partnership to expand industry-driven strategies through such successful initiatives as: the New York City Sectors Initiative, which demonstrated the effectiveness of an employer-driven strategy; the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH), a model industry partnership that addresses the healthcare industry’s rapidly changing labor force needs; and the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline, a multi-partner initiative designed to deliver quality tech jobs for New Yorkers and quality tech talent for New York’s businesses. The work of the New York City Workforce Innovation Fund expanded in 2014, through Mayor de Blasio’s Career Pathways report, to include five industry partnerships in healthcare, technology, food service, construction, and industrial manufacturing.
In 2017 the Workforce Funders made the decision to increase its support for policy and advocacy activities. In partnership with New York Community Trust and The Clark Foundation, the Workforce Funders funded the Invest in Skills New York Campaign- a three-year campaign with the message that is vital that the Governor and State Legislature make a skilled workforce an economic priority. The Workforce Funders also commissioned the Workforce Agenda report through the Workforce Field Building Hub at WPTI. It is anticipated that the five recommendations of the report published in September 2018 will become key priorities for the Workforce Funders over the next three years.
Sector Focus
Industry Partnerships
New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH)
NYACH is an industry partnership bringing together healthcare employers and industry leaders to address the sector’s rapidly changing workforce needs. NYACH’s mission is to build an effective healthcare workforce development system in New York City by identifying healthcare employers’ needs, helping education and training organizations adapt their approach to better meet those needs, and ensuring low-income and unemployed New Yorkers have access to viable career opportunities in healthcare.
NYC Tech Talent Pipeline
Launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014, the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline is the City’s tech industry partnership, designed to support the inclusive growth of the NYC tech sector and prepare New Yorkers for 21st century jobs. Incubated and supported by the NYC Department of Small Business Services, the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline works with 200+ companies, 16 local colleges, and additional public and private partners to define employer needs, develop training and education models to meet these needs, and scale solutions throughout the City, delivering quality talent for the City’s businesses and quality jobs for New Yorkers.
NYC Food & Beverage Hospitality Council
The NYC Food & Beverage Hospitality Council is an alliance of over 50 leading NYC industry professionals and businesses to promote the sustained growth of the local food and beverage industry. The Council’s goals include: addressing the industry’s skills gap and labor shortage by supporting training opportunities that will also open the door to greater upward mobility for workers; helping small business navigate the regulatory environment; and monitoring industry trends and operational changes businesses can implement to meet various challenges.
Construction Industry Partnership (CIP)
New York City’s Construction Industry Partnership (CIP) is an initiative of Small Business Services (SBS), working in close collaboration with other City Agencies and leading organizations in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) industry. The mission of the CIP is to improve access, advancement, and gainful employment in the industry for minorities, women, and economically marginalized New Yorkers by working with industry stakeholders and partners to develop best-in-class recruitment, training, and advancement programs.
NYC Industrial Partnership
The NYC Industrial Partnership is a collaboration amongst employers across the manufacturing, warehousing, wholesale trade, and transportation sectors, focused on addressing the skilled and entry level labor shortage; spurring growth and innovation in the sector; ensuring the regulatory environment supports business growth; and advocating for, and protecting, industrial zones.
Collaborative Contact
Re-envisioning the New York City Workforce System
2013 • New York City Workforce Strategy Group • Report
Re-envisioning the New York City Workforce System: Research on Recommendations
2014 • New York City Workforce Strategy Group • Report
Workforce Agenda for NYC
2018 • Workforce Field Building Hub • Report