Sep 13, 2022
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Department of Labor has expanded its Virtual Career Center, a cutting-edge online platform to help New Yorkers accelerate their career search. The Virtual Career Center uses robust artificial intelligence to match a job seeker's skills and experience with job opportunities. The free platform caters the experience each customer's individual needs and allows users to browse more than 250,000 job posting in seconds, upload their resumes, and explore job training opportunities to take their careers to the next level.
"New York has made remarkable progress in reducing unemployment, creating quality, high-paying jobs, and connecting job seekers all over the state to fulfilling work opportunities," Governor Hochul said. "With this expansion of the Virtual Career Center, we are leveraging the very best technology to give New Yorkers a world-class job-finding tool completely free-of-charge. I encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of this resource and visit the Department of Labor's website to learn more."
Previously, only unemployed job seekers were able to access this resource through a pilot program. Governor Hochul has now expanded it so all New Yorkers can access the Virtual Career Center by creating or signing into an ny.gov account.
Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Technology enabled us to continue to serve customers throughout the pandemic, and the Department of Labor will continue to utilize the latest advancements to help New Yorkers achieve their career goals. The Virtual Career Center is just one of many no-cost, online resources we offer to help New Yorkers make their career dreams become reality."
The Virtual Career Center is the latest development in NYSDOL's ongoing effort to connect New Yorkers to 250,000 available job opportunities across New York State. Job seekers are encouraged to check out the New York State Job Bank, Part-Time Hiring Opportunities Job Bank, and NY Seasonal Jobs to browse available statewide jobs. New Yorkers can also check out our Career Center Events and Recruitments Calendar to sign up for Virtual Workshops and Virtual Career Fairs. JobZone also provides tools to help New Yorkers plan their future, organize their job search, develop resumes and explore careers. Unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers can also learn new skills relevant to high-demand careers by enrolling in free online classes via Coursera.
All new weekly Unemployment Insurance benefit claimants are automatically added and invited to the Virtual Career Center to help them use this new tool to find jobs that match their experience, knowledge, and skills.
Eightfold AI President Kamal Ahluwalia said, "New York State is using the world's most powerful Talent Intelligence Platform to help its citizens connect directly with employers and upskill themselves. Together, we've developed the Virtual Career Center, providing every New Yorker with the opportunity to attain family-sustaining, economy-boosting jobs."
SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, our state is creating a strong pipeline for New Yorkers to connect to jobs. This year's historic investment in higher education will broaden academic programs and credentials that will build skills and provide experience, and with today's expansion of the Virtual Career Center, those SUNY learners can quickly see how their qualifications translate to career opportunities. The New York Department of Labor is a key partner for SUNY in workforce development, in particular, and we appreciate their ongoing efforts to help students transition to employment."
Capital Region Workforce Development Board Executive Director Brian Williams said, "Since the beginning of the pandemic, the local workforce development system has shown that the ability to offer services remotely enabled more access to individuals in need of career guidance and skills training that businesses desire. Using technology, like The Virtual Career Center to connect individuals to the myriad of workforce development and skills training services, will create a comprehensive and accessible pathway to great family-sustaining careers and a talented pipeline for businesses."
Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board Executive Director Thom Kleiner said, "All statewide workforce board directors have been eagerly awaiting the launch of this amazing new resource that we will share with our job seekers and employers."
Melinda Mack, Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals said, "Virtual career centers allow individuals with barriers such as transportation and childcare gain access to the critical services that the New York workforce system provides. Expanding the eligibility requirements creates more opportunities for New Yorkers to be skilled for and obtain a good or better job."
NYSDOL continues to explore new ways to harness technology to better assist New Yorkers. In June, Governor Hochul announced that the Department was halfway through its 4-year strategic modernization plan, an ongoing effort that will reduce call volume, enhance customer experience, and swiftly connect New Yorkers to UI benefits. NYSDOL is also currently analyzing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women in the workplace with a particular focus on the multi-layered gender wage gap. The report will outline recommendations designed to empower women while also advancing New York State's diverse and robust economy.