Google and New York City Public Schools have collaborated to provide students with enhanced access to technology-focused learning and career development opportunities.
On Wednesday, June 21st, New York City Mayor Adams declared that an initiative, FutureReadyNYC, designed to provide students with links to employers in burgeoning sectors, will be significantly extended.
Initially piloted in a few select schools, the program is now set to reach around a quarter of all city public high schools, giving students insight into diverse fields such as technology and healthcare.
During a press conference at Google’s Chelsea headquarters, Mayor Adams stated that this expansion’s primary aim is to facilitate exposure for the students.
He said, “Education must prepare our young people for the future and help our students learn the skills they need to succeed.”
Beginning this fall, the initiative will enable more than 100 public high schools to offer students early college credit through the City University of New York (CUNY), paid work experience, mentorship, and personalized career counseling.
The city will invest $19 million across the participating schools, with the allocation based on the number of grade levels implementing the program.
The participating schools were chosen through a competitive application process, with the demand exceeding the available spots.
Schools Chancellor Davids Banks said, “It is my honor to stand alongside leaders in the private sector to bring unique career connected learning opportunities to our students in partnership with world-class organizations like Google. There is tremendous talent in our public schools, and this vital work allows us to mold the next generation of professional leaders that will revolutionize not just our city, but our country as well.”
The expansion of FutureReady aligns with citywide goals to enhance the relevance of classroom education to real-world applications, boost career education, and increase private-sector apprenticeships and summer employment programs for young people.
In line with this initiative, Google will offer a data analytics certification to prepare students for future jobs and provide teacher training in anticipation of the upcoming academic year.
Google will also be the inaugural partner for a CUNY initiative promoting gender and racial equity in the tech industry through a new curriculum and paid internships.
Additionally, Google will collaborate with CUNY on its new “Tech Equity” initiative to increase tech career awareness, paid internships, and employer involvement with campuses.
Google’s executives will join a CUNY advisory commission to ensure that the educational curriculum aligns with current industry standards.
CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez expressed that these deliberate efforts are the key to altering the demographic composition of any industry workforce.
He said, “This partnership will leverage the enormous potential of CUNY students, who will gain sought-after skills and the tools they need to build fulfilling and lucrative careers after graduation.”
