New York City Mayor Eric Adams has revealed the extraordinary success of the city’s “Jobs NYC” initiative, an ambitious program aimed at reducing unemployment in neighborhoods with the highest rates of joblessness.

Over the past six months, the initiative has connected nearly 8,500 New Yorkers to employment and free training resources through 26 hiring halls hosted across the five boroughs.

Mayor Adams expressed his vision, “The vision of ‘Jobs NYC’ was to build a city where opportunity reaches every borough, block, and neighborhood. With this announcement, we have come one step closer to turning that vision into a reality and connecting more New Yorkers with a good-paying job.”

The hiring halls, celebrated for their effectiveness, have received high praise from participants, with nearly 90 percent of attendees and 96 percent of employers and partners reporting satisfaction with their experience.

The initiative has been a significant factor in the city’s approximate 30 percent reduction in Black and Latino unemployment since the start of Mayor Adams’ administration.

First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright emphasized the administration’s commitment: “In the past, our hardest working Black and Latino communities were also some of our most underserved communities.

This administration said ‘no more’ and launched ‘Jobs NYC’ — an unprecedented multi-pronged effort that sought to address this historical injustice.”

The initiative has not only provided jobs but has also strengthened relationships between public and private sectors and underserved communities, offering free training and resources right in the neighborhoods most in need.

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom highlighted the program’s impact: “There is profound dignity and reward in work. ‘Jobs NYC’ has connected 8,500 people, and counting, to meaningful workforce resources, experience, and opportunities.”

The success of “Jobs NYC” is further supported by changes in city hiring practices, allowing for more inclusive and accessible employment opportunities. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has reformed the Minimum Qualification Requirements for entry-level civil service titles, focusing on relevant work experience rather than formal education.