Commentary/Op-Ed - February 2008
Something To Build OnThe Mayors Commission on Construction Opportunity has produced promising early results in bringing women and non-whites into the citys construction workforce. But will the changes prove lasting, or merely cosmetic?
Testimony - January 2008
Measuring the Success of Workforce Development ProgramsAppearing before a City Council hearing, CUF project director David Fischer testified that the problems of New Yorks workforce programs-grossly inadequate funding, statutory limitations and too-modest ambition-are properly laid on Washington, DC doorsteps.
Testimony - December 2007
Creating Greater Opportunities for Immigrant EntrepreneursIn this testimony before a City Council hearing prompted by the Center's "A World of Opportunity" report, CUF director Jonathan Bowles argues that policymakers and economic development officials must do more to support immigrant entrepreneurs, which are a growing but often neglected part of the city's economy.
Commentary/Op-Ed - December 2007
Immigrants Would Thrive With More English ClassesIn this op/ed for Newsday, the Center's Tara Colton argues that the growing unmet demand for English-language instruction could have dire economic consequences for Long Island.
Commentary/Op-Ed - November 2007
Recapturing Suburban ShoppersThis policy brief shows that ethnic retail strips from Jackson Heights to Richmond Hill are attracting hordes of suburban shoppersand having a big impact on the citys economy.
Report - November 2007
Still Lost in TranslationA new analysis shows that the enormous gap between demand for ESOL and the supply of available classes in New York State has gotten even worse over the past year.
Testimony - September 2007
It’s Time to Reinvent New York’s Street FairsIn this testimony before the City Council, associate research director Tara Colton argues that a significant overhaul of the citys street fair system is long overdue and the city should do more to involve local entrepreneurs and artists in the fairs.
Commentary/Op-Ed - September 2007
Too Few Jobs For YouthNew York City's Summer Youth Employment Program recently completed another successful summer--but, as CUF notes in this recent Gotham Gazette op-ed, it's still reaching too few of the city's teens.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2007
Libraries, An Invaluable Resource for ImmigrantsIn this op-ed for El Diario/La Prensa, CUF Director Jonathan Bowles argues that the restoration of six day a week service at the city's public libraries is a huge victory for immigrants, children, seniors and working adults.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2007
Engineering A Tech SectorThis Off the CUF essay argues that NYU's proposed merger with Polytechnic University could provide a critical spark to the city's long-frustrated efforts to establish a more robust high-tech sector.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2007
Branching OutThis Off the CUF essay argues that the decision to restore six day a week library service is a landmark achievement that will boost the competitiveness of New Yorks workforce.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2007
Immigrant Entrepreneurs on Staten IslandIn this op-ed in Staten Island Business Trends, CUF director Jonathan Bowles argues that Staten Islands growing immigrant population could be a catalyst for the boroughs economy in the years ahead.
Report - August 2007
A Bumpy RideThis new report finds that cultural trolleys hold promise in raising the profile of arts institutions outside of Manhattan, but a lack of marketing funds and operational challenges means most trolley programs have not yet boosted attendance at local cultural venues.
Report - August 2007
Working to Learn, Learning to WorkThis new report by the Center and the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy documents the critical importance to New York's economy of expanding college attendance among working adults, and finds that the rate at which adults attend college has fallen sharply.
Report - June 2007
Work in ProgressThis report finds that four years after Mayor Bloomberg moved to remake workforce development in NYC, much has been accomplished, but even more remains to be done.
Report - June 2007
Summer HelpThis report finds that NYCs Summer Youth Employment Program will serve 21 percent fewer young people this summer than in 1999, a troubling decline since the citys teen employment rate is half the national average.
Testimony - May 2007
Meeting Demand for ESOL in NYCIn this testimony before a City Council hearing prompted by the Center's 2006 report, "Lost in Translation," associate research director Tara Colton lays out steps the city can take to address the enormous unmet demand for ESOL classes.
Report - April 2007
Staten Island 2020This new report shows that New Yorks fastest-growing borough faces serious economic and infrastructure challenges, from an exodus of young people to stubbornly high vacancy rates in the boroughs office buildings.
Testimony - February 2007
In Working OrderAt a City Council hearing on the state of NYC's workforce development system, CUF Project Director David Fischer testified that the Bloomberg administration has made great strides but needs more resources and a broader vision.
Report - February 2007
A Thousand CutsThis new report by the Center and NYATEP finds that now more than ever, New York needs a strong workforce development system -- but declining funds and uncoordinated programs are obstacles to progress.
