August 14, 2023
Employers Can Create Free Accounts
As part of its ongoing commitment to support businesses statewide, the New York State Department of Labor today announced a new service to help businesses swiftly find skilled job candidates, at no cost. NYSDOL’s enhanced Virtual Career Center allows businesses to tap into the state’s workforce pipeline and find qualified candidates geared specifically to businesses’ needs in seconds. The platform also enables employers to post jobs, communicate directly with job candidates, as well as track and advance prospective hires through different recruiting phases. Employers can start saving time and money by visiting the Virtual Career Center. This is part of the Department’s commitment to advance Governor Hochul’s vision to make New York the most business-friendly state in the nation.
“Our virtual tools are connecting businesses to top talent across the state in real time,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “I want businesses of all sizes to know that we can help them find staff to best suit their needs directly from New York State’s highly skilled and dedicated workforce. I encourage businesses to utilize the Virtual Career Center and our other resources today.”
Initially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect unemployed New Yorkers with job opportunities, the free platform was expanded in September 2022 to give all interested New Yorkers access to more than 250,000 vetted job postings and job training resources to take their careers to the next level. More than 80,000 job seekers have signed up to use this online resource. Now, New York State’s 500,000 businesses can utilize this service for skills-based hiring through the tool.
Eightfold customized the online platform so NYSDOL could include businesses in the expansion.
Eightfold CEO and Co-Founder Ashutosh Garg said, "The State of New York prioritizes the creation of career-building, family-sustaining employment opportunities for its citizens, and the expansion of the Virtual Career Center is a landmark moment in that journey. We are proud to partner with their team to establish New York as a talent leader and innovator."
The Virtual Career Center is the latest development in NYSDOL’s ongoing effort to connect New Yorkers to available job opportunities across New York State through virtual services. Job seekers and businesses can participate in NYSDOL’s Virtual Career Fairs, promoted on the Career Center Events and Recruitments Calendar. Through this calendar, job seekers can also participate in NYSDOL's daily virtual workshops at no-cost. Unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers can also learn new skills relevant to high-demand careers by enrolling in free online classes though New York’s award-winning partnership with Coursera.
NYSDOL offers several services to support businesses of any size across New York State. Its Business Services Representatives work with entrepreneurs to create customized solutions to help meet their business goals. The Department also offers free human resource service consultations and assists with workforce recruitment to help employers find skilled workers. NYSDOL offers guidance on hiring incentives, tax credits and funding opportunities that can help employers curb costs.
Governor Hochul invested more than $1 billion to support New York's small business community and accelerate the state's pandemic recovery, including the $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, $200 million Seed Funding Grant Program, and $550 million federal State Small Business Credit Initiative. The Governor also secured an additional $1 billion in funding to invest in local economies as part of the FY 2024 Budget, including $225 million in grant funding and tax credits for the Regional Economic Development Councils, $100 million each to fund an additional year of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, $50 million for the RESTORE New York Communities Initiative, $400 million for the NYWORKS Economic Development Fund and almost $200 million for projects that support community growth and enhancement.
NYSDOL continues to utilize innovative technology as part of its commitment to better serve New Yorkers. Ongoing efforts include the 4-year strategic modernization plan, a multipronged system upgrade that will reduce call volume, enhance customer experience, and swiftly connect New Yorkers to Unemployment Insurance benefits.