Documented surveyed 1,137 New York immigrants about their information needs. Twenty-two percent of participants said they needed information on where to acquire vocational skills, and job training was a top priority. Both the city and state governments in New York provide services and resources to help residents, including immigrants, improve their skills and find employment.
Here is a list of governmental programs and organizations that provide programs tailored to help the immigrant community.
Also Read: Immigrant New Yorkers Share What They Needed When They First Arrived in NYC
New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) career services
The New York City Department of Small Business Services offers job postings, job training, career development and more services in New York City.
Workforce1 Job Center: This center offers free job listings, recruitment events and job search resources, resume and interview workshops and job training. The services are available online and in person.
The services are available to those who are a New York City resident, are 18 years or older, and are eligible to work legally in the United States. You can make an appointment by filling out the online form, or visiting the nearest Workforce1 career center in this map.
Access Training: this program provides education and experience to assist with obtaining a new job or advancing a career. The program offers training programs for in-demand occupations such as healthcare, construction, and data analytics. The training is available at various locations across the city.
Send an email to training-02@sbs.nyc.gov or visit their website for more information and requirements
Career Discovery NYC: This program offers a directory of career opportunities in industries that are in demand. They provide information to explore jobs, discover more about the industry, and get free online training to enter the industry of choice.
New York State Professional Pathways for high-skilled immigrants
This New York State-funded program expands job search services for highly skilled immigrants by providing free professional training and job placement to help new immigrants find jobs that match their skills and experience. Services include professional, culturally diverse career coaching; industry-specific training, such as preparation for technical or professional training or relicensing; and job search support, including the credential evaluation process.
To qualify for these services, you must have been in the U.S. for no more than ten years, have an intermediate or advanced level of English proficiency, be a resident of New York State, and have a work authorization and a visa or status from this list.
Immigrants can also get job search assistance at the Office for New Americans. The organization’s job coach is available in NYC at Upwardly Global, 505 8th Ave., Suite 1100, New York, NY 10018. They can also call the New Americans Hotline at 800-566-7636, which operates from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Job training resources for asylum seekers
Many of New York City’s free job training resources require participants to have authorization to legally work in the United States. But New York City announced in March that it would establish the Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) to help asylum seekers arriving in New York City settle in as quickly as possible and be matched with resources related to employment, schooling, and more.
Under the plan, the city partners with the State University of New York at Sullivan (SUNY Sullivan) on a pilot program to provide job training and housing for asylum seekers waiting for work permits. The program provides workforce training to 100 migrants as they move through the federal work authorization process.
Make the Road New York offers food handlers certification and health job training programs for members and non-members. Programs include the 17-week Bridge to Health Careers training, the biannual Community Health Worker Training, and Food Handlers Certification training courses in Brooklyn and Queens. Click here for more information and to fill out an online application.
Chinese-American Planning Council has community and economic empowerment programs that provide career services such as BuildingWorks pre-apprenticeship training program, career center, intern and earn program and senior community service employment program.
Website| Address: 150 Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10012 | Email: info@cpc-nyc.org | Phone: 212-941-0920
Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP) provides job training, employment services, educational programs, and economic development opportunities for vulnerable immigrants and refugees in New York City. CMP also provides career counseling and job placement, English as a second language (ESL) classes, youth programs, high-tech computer training and business development projects.
Address: 55 Chrystie St., 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10002 | Email: info@cmpny.org | General inquiries: 212-571-1690 | Small Business Assistance: 212-571-1698 | Adult Literacy Program & Train and Earn: 646-292-9680
For Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), Work Learn and Grow (WLG), Opportunity Youth (NDA) Opportunity Youth, and other youth internship programs: 646-292-9679
The Brooklyn Chinese-American Association offers employment services and vocational-technical courses such as resume review, job interviewing and job search skills.
Address: 4204 8th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232 | Phone: 718-438-0008
Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) offers small business loans, group training, internet marketing courses, one-on-one business advisory and more, through their Renaissance Economic Development Corporation
Manhattan office: 2 Allen St., Suite 7A, New York, NY 10002 | Phone: 212-979-8381.
Flushing office: 133-29 41st Ave., Flushing, NY 11355 | Phone: 718-961-0888.
Email: Info@renaissance-ny.org
Also read: Jobs and Training for Migrants With Work Permits in New York
