(l to r) Council Member Vanessa Gibson, Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) President Marlene Cintron, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Gustavo Rivera and State Department of Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera participated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting for NY Works on Tuesday, August 19, 2014.

State Department of Labor Will Bring No-Cost Services Direct To Bronx Businesses

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of the new NY Works Office, which as part of the Unemployment Strikeforce, will bring no-cost business services directly to Bronx companies looking to hire. In partnership with the State Department of Labor, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the office was officially opened this morning.

“Connecting job-seekers with employment opportunities in their communities is one of our administration’s top priorities, and opening this new office in the Bronx is a great way to match even more of the area’s residents with companies that are looking to hire,” Governor Cuomo said. “I encourage all businesses in the region to check out this new resource in their community to find out more about how New York State can help them find the workforce they need to grow.”

When businesses look to relocate or expand, one of the first concerns is to identify an available workforce. These initiatives help companies find and train workers based on the specific needs of that company. Using a systematic approach, Department of Labor helps businesses tap into the Bronx workforce by finding hiring and training incentives, and matching job seekers to needed skill sets. The Department of Labor has already assisted more than 1,000 businesses under the program and placed 3,100 individuals into jobs, including more than 1,900 who had been unemployed longer than 27 weeks.

Department of Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera said, “Governor Cuomo’s Unemployment Strikeforce positions resources where they can do the most good in the communities that need them most. I encourage any business in the Bronx looking for workers to come visit our new office and take advantage of these resources.”

The NY Works Office is located in Room 123 of 851 Grand Concourse and is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Unemployment Strikeforce is a multi-pronged effort, announced in May, to boost employment in areas with the highest unemployment rates. Through a partnership of the State Department of Labor, Empire State Development and other public and private partners, the effort will strategically augment services in Bronx, Jefferson, Lewis and Kings Counties.

Additional office locations in the Bronx for businesses and job seekers can be found at: www.labor.ny.gov/strikeforce.

The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation helps businesses and job seekers connect to available resources in the Bronx.

Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation President Marlene Cintron said, “Our partnership with Governor Cuomo and the New York State Department of Labor is already reaping rewards. Together we have worked with New York Works to support employment efforts as large as the new Mall at Bay Plaza to many of the small businesses that make The Bronx a great place to work and live.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said, “We are creating thousands of jobs in The Bronx. This NY Works Office will make sure that Bronxites benefit from those jobs, thanks to its focus on local organizations working hand in hand with local businesses. I’d like to thank the State Department of Labor and its commissioner, Peter Rivera, for launching this program in conjunction with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and my office. Through NY Works, Governor Cuomo is putting employment resources where they are most needed, and I look forward to helping put even more Bronxites to work through this program.”

For more information about the Unemployment Strikeforce: Bronx to Work Initiative, please call 1-888-4-NYDOL or www.labor.ny.gov/bronxworks.