Synopsis
With the rapid expansion of the technology sector in New York City, and especially in Brooklyn, the impetus to support the inclusivity of tech sector employment for underrepresented New Yorkers is more urgent than ever. The City’s tech ecosystem provides a pathway to quality jobs. And if cities are to build tech sectors that leverage the diverse perspectives and full creative power of their residents, it requires attention to geography, culture, and informational networks on a micro scale.
- In 2019, New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development solicited innovative strategies for opening new doors into the tech workforce. Urbane Development was selected along with six other project teams, whose leaders include established workforce development providers and university-based tech programs.
- Urbane conducted 29 interviews with over 40 stakeholders, including providers who offer supportive services and job training – tech or otherwise – to Bed-Stuy NYCHA residents, employers and recruiters from tech-dependent companies who can offer insight into hiring needs and industry demands, and local experts who are deeply familiar with barriers and opportunities unique to Bed-Stuy.
In coordination with Restoration’s resident Community Coaches, Urbane facilitated three consecutive workshops with an intergenerational cohort of over 25 Marcy, Armstrong, and Lafayette residents. The workshops were designed to surface resident perceptions and interests related to tech sector jobs, demystify the sector and its requirements, and support residents in co-designing culturally relevant and accessible tech-focused workforce pathways.
