PRESS RELEASE
New York City EDC
NYC Small Busniess Services
New York, New York
February 3, 2009
press release (PDF 34K)Deputy Mayor Robert C. Lieber, NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinksy and SBS Commissioner Robert W. Walsh Announce the Launch of CareerLink NYC
Website is Public-Private Partnership Developed to Help NYC Job-Seekers Access Essential Resources
Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber, NYC Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) President, Seth W. Pinsky, SBS Commissioner Robert W. Walsh, and the NYC Workforce Investment Board today announced the launch of CareerLinkNYC (www.CareerLinkNYC.com), a website devoted to providing New Yorkers with essential resources for those who have recently lost a job, are looking for a new job, want to start a business, or are thinking about continuing education options in New York City.
"Even as we plan for the City’s economic recovery, we are committed to helping New Yorkers tackle some of the immediate challenges created by job loss, and CareerLinkNYC is an important tool to do that," said Deputy Mayor Lieber. "By creating a one-stop-shop for New Yorkers to access job listings, financial and legal assistance, counseling and help maintaining industry qualifications, we are providing much needed services to workers in the financial services and information technology sectors at the time they need it most."
CareerLinkNYC was developed as a part of Mayor Bloomberg’s program to help New York City cope with the economic downturn. While it is geared toward members of the Financial Services and Information Technology sectors, the information provided is relevant to any entry- to mid-level professional impacted by the current economic climate. The Office of Management and Budget estimates that the recent downturn will mean a loss of 249,000 private sector jobs in New York City from mid-2008 through 2010, with more than 46,000 from the Securities Industry alone.
The resources available on the site are details on benefits and support services available to the unemployed, job search techniques and information on employment opportunities, first steps when considering and starting a new business, networking opportunities and a guide to professional studies and continuing education programs available in the five boroughs.
“New York City has the most diverse talent base in the world and we are taking strides to make sure that we retain that talent during these difficult economic times,” said NYCEDC President, Seth W. Pinsky. “While the information that CareerLinkNYC provides can’t replace the jobs that will inevitably be lost over the next several challenging months, it will make it easier for those impacted by the economic downturn to access the many career and educational options that New Yorkers have as they look towards the future.”
“The launch of this new website is part of Mayor Bloomberg’s overall strategy to provide assistance to New Yorkers in this economic climate," said Commissioner Robert Walsh, NYC Dept. of Small Business Services. “This website will connect those recently unemployed to many resources, including tips for changing careers, techniques for finding new jobs as well as options to continue receiving health insurance. We will continue to build this website to ensure it addresses the growing and changing needs of New Yorkers.”
“New York's challenge is to keep top financial industry talent in the city during a period when jobs are shrinking,” said Partnership for New York City President & CEO Kathryn Wylde. “CareerLinkNYC will provide ideas for jobs in other sectors, as well as retraining and graduate degree programs, to make sure that getting laid off just means opening a door to a new opportunity right here in the five boroughs.”
“The NYC Workforce Investment Board invested in CareerLinkNYC to enable New Yorkers to connect to the essential information they need to get back to work faster,” said Workforce Investment Board Deputy Director, Melinda M. Mulawka.
CareerLinkNYC (www.CareerLinkNYC.com) is collaboration between New York City, NYC Economic Development Corporation, Department of Small Business Services, NYC Workforce Investment Board and private stakeholders including the Partnership for New York City, Vault.com and the New York Times.
About the Partnership for New York City
The Partnership for New York City (www.pfnyc.org) is a network of business leaders dedicated to enhancing the economy of the five boroughs of New York City and maintaining the city’s position as the center of world commerce, finance and innovation.