Certification from New York Department of Labor Will Allow Pursuit to Provide Low Income New Yorkers with Skills and Training, Needed to Launch Careers in Tech and Transform Their Lives
Benefits Also Include Federal & State Tax Credits for Companies Employing Pursuit Fellows
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New York, NY – Pursuit, the workforce development social impact organization that trains low-income New Yorkers so they can build careers in tech announced the nonprofit as New York City’s first Certified Apprenticeship Program for adults in Software Development. The announcement was made at Pursuit’s training center in Long Island City, Queens, alongside the Department of Labor, at an event in honor of National Apprenticeship Week that featured elected officials and tech sector leaders, including Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, and Gregory Morris, CEO of New York City Employment and Training Coalition.
Since 2011 Pursuit has been helping underserved New Yorkers from all five boroughs access the training and support they need to build careers in the tech sector. Being recognized as a Certified Apprenticeship Program will help supercharge those efforts by enabling Pursuit to provide Fellows with a nationally-recognized program that will prepare fellows to land their first job in tech, start their careers, and transform their lives.
“With investment from the CHIPS and Science Act flowing into New York State at record speed, every New Yorker, regardless of their financial or educational background, deserves the chance to get a good-paying job in tech and build a career for the long term,” said Jukay Hsu, CEO and co-founder of Pursuit. “While most people think of apprenticeships as training for construction trades, we need new, modernized apprenticeship models that help bring the wealth-generating careers of today to New Yorkers of all backgrounds. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Labor and partner companies across the city and state to open up opportunities in tech for New Yorkers who are under-represented in the industry.”
“New York City prides itself in its dynamic technological advancements, said Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer. “The Adams Administration is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce where all New Yorkers can benefit from our growing economy. Pursuit and the Department of Labor’s apprenticeship announcement will elevate this vision by creating meaningful pathways for all New Yorkers to enhance and nurture their skills in the tech sector.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez added, "As the chair of the Senate’s Internet and Technology Committee, I am thrilled to congratulate Pursuit on becoming the first certified Group Sponsor for Adult Registered Apprenticeships in Software Development in New York City. Groundbreaking programs like this one can shape the future of the tech industry by helping working-class New Yorkers access these careers. Pursuit's commitment to empowering marginalized communities and promoting diversity in the tech sector is commendable. I am proud to be a long-time advocate for apprenticeships, and I look forward to the continued success of Pursuit in changing lives and advancing our state's growing tech sector."
“I extend my warmest congratulations to Pursuit for making history as the City’s first and only apprenticeship program for adults in Software Development," said Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, Chair of the Assembly’s Labor Committee. “This achievement is a testament to Pursuit’s commitment to advancing an innovative and inclusive model that brings New Yorkers of all backgrounds into the in-demand tech sector. Today’s announcement will bring a more resilient and equitable future to the tech industry.”
"Developing Queens into a global leader in the technology and innovation spheres is a top priority of my office, and I know it's a priority we share with companies like Pursuit across The World's Borough," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "Pursuit's certification is a tremendous step forward as we work to connect Queens residents to the tech jobs of tomorrow, and I'm excited to work with Pursuit and all our public and private sector partners to encourage further industry growth here in Queens."
“For decades, Pursuit’s workforce development model has transformed New York’s communities and provided thousands of our neighbors with the in-demand skills they need to join the booming tech sector," said State Senator Jessica Ramos, Chair of the Senate’s Labor Committee. “I am thrilled the state has recognized their innovative vision and granted them an apprenticeship certification from the Department of Labor. I look forward to our continued work with Pursuit to guarantee every current and future New Yorker the opportunity to prepare for high-paying careers in the technology sector.”
“Apprenticeships are not just for the traditional trades anymore and I celebrate Pursuit’s industry-leading achievement today to help bring apprenticeship into the 21st century, and, in turn, support the Adams administration’s moonshot goal of creating 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030,” said Abby Jo Sigal, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “The City of New York knows that by combining structured training with paid, on-the-job learning, we help job seekers get a better foothold in good-paying career pathways—particularly those from non-traditional educational backgrounds—while also ensuring employers from all sectors are getting better prepared talent with the skills they need for their businesses’ success. We are committed to bringing together public and private partners like Pursuit to support the expansion of apprenticeships so that all New Yorkers have access to equitable pathways to an inclusive economy.”
"A fully resourced and truly sustainable apprenticeship ecosystem in New York City requires sustained and resourced partnerships between training providers, employers, and educational institutions. The on-ramps to this effort, especially in the tech sector, require bold action, and a relentless commitment to the linkage of workforce development and economic development," said Gregory J Morris, CEO, New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC). "Having secured New York City’s first registered software development apprenticeship program for adults, Pursuit has achieved a milestone that will transform individual lives - preparing more New Yorkers for high-paying and fast-growing jobs - while it lays the groundwork for more partnerships to focus on apprenticeships in new and emerging industries. We congratulate Pursuit on this achievement and its extraordinary history, and we look forward to advancing its efforts and efforts in all 5 boroughs to make NYC the apprenticeship capital of the world."
“Pursuit is doing amazing work for the people of Queens –– especially for those who need it the most,” said Assembly Member Nily Rozic. “This certification is a breakthrough in Pursuit’s mission as it will allow this critical non-profit to expand and bring new benefits for Pursuit Fellows, partner companies, and public and private supporters. New York State must continue to prioritize its investment in workforce development organizations like Pursuit, and I look forward to working with them to bring these programs to more New Yorkers.”
“New York has seen first hand the impact Pursuit’s workforce development model has had in our communities and local economy,” said Council Member Kevin Riley. “Pursuit’s model plays an invaluable role in shaping the future of our communities. Today’s celebration not only reflects the dedication and vision of Pursuit but also signifies the monumental labor and economic opportunities residents of this great city will have through this certification.”
“We are delighted that our good friends and collaborators from Pursuit have been certified as Group Sponsors for Registered Apprenticeships in Software Development by the NY State Department of Labor; says Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Pursuit CEO and co-founder Jukay Hsu has made great strides in helping young people learn the skills needed for real 21st century jobs and we applaud their leadership in this area. Their success is one of the many reasons that Queens County is becoming the next greatest home to tech companies throughout the US and internationally.”
“As a proud New Yorker and Pursuit Fellow, I am deeply grateful to Pursuit’s Fellowship program for providing me with the rigorous training that opened the doors to my career in tech,” said Jovanni Luna, Pursuit Fellow and Foursquare apprentice. “Pursuit’s program serves as a great alternative to typical employment pathways like higher education, and I know this announcement will allow other Fellows like me to achieve their dreams.”
"Pursuit's historic achievement as the first New York City registered apprenticeship in software development for adults is a milestone of great significance,” said Laura Rothrock, President of the Long Island City Partnership. “Beyond opening doors to future-proof careers, this groundbreaking initiative contributes substantially to the growth and inclusivity of our local tech sector, embodying the spirit of progress we strive for in Long Island City, where Pursuit is based.”
"We celebrate this remarkable achievement as Pursuit becomes the first program in New York City to be certified as a Group Sponsor for Registered Apprenticeships in Software Development for adults by the State Department of Labor,” said Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Urban Upbound. “We’re proud to be partners with this amazing organization. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future in technology and empowering individuals to reach their full potential."
Registered Apprenticeships are certified by the New York State Department of Labor to provide both the instruction and on-the-job training needed for a participant to succeed in their field. As part of this program, Pursuit will leverage relationships with leading companies in New York City to place Fellows in paid on-the-job apprenticeships. When Pursuit Fellows complete the program, they will receive a nationally-recognized credential that marks their expertise in the field.
The Apprenticeship Program also connects employers to top talent in New York City— often from a more diverse candidate pool than the company typically has access to — who have the training the company believes they need to succeed. In addition, participating companies receive federal and state tax credits for hiring apprentices. The program is set to create a standard for workforce training programs, unlock opportunities for low-income New Yorkers, and signify the expertise of Pursuit’s tech model.
While the Apprenticeship program continues to grow, Pursuit already has a strong track record of providing transformative workforce development training for New Yorkers under-represented in tech: on average Pursuit Fellows see their annual salary more than quadruple, growing from $18,000 before joining Pursuit to over $90,000 in the first year of their job. This generates an estimated $2 million more in earnings over each Fellow’s lifetime.
Pursuit also leverages an innovative outcomes-based financing model that allows Fellows to receive training with no upfront costs. Thanks to funding from social impact investors through Pursuit Bonds, participants don’t incur any cost during their training. After a Fellow secures a good-paying job, they pay a percentage of their earnings for a set amount of time to help cover the bond’s debt service. If a Fellow doesn’t immediately get a job or if their salary is below a certain level, they pay nothing — and if they stop working for any reason, their payments pause, too. This allows lower-income New Yorkers to take advantage of Pursuit’s programs without taking on any debt.
Photos of the event can be found HERE.
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About Pursuit:
Pursuit is a social impact organization that creates transformation where it’s needed most.
Through our four-year intensive program, we train adults with the most need and potential to get their first tech jobs, advance in their careers, and become the next generation of leaders in tech. our graduates are hired by leading companies like Pinterest, Kickstarter, Linkedin, Blackrock, and JPmorgan Chase, quadrupling the average salary of fellows. In addition to providing training and career support, Pursuit’s innovative operating model combines partnerships with tech companies to retrain their blue-collar workers and social impact investments to re-envision funding for outcomes-based organizations. By connecting talent with opportunity, pursuit empowers graduates to bring change to their families, tech companies, and communities across the nation. For more information about Pursuit please visit pursuit.org.
