UMEZ Launches First-of-its-Kind Employer-Driven Bridge Hospitality Training Program for Upper Manhattan Residents
From left to right: J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor, City of New York; Craig Livingston, Managing Partner, Exact Capital Group, LLC; Yahshaanyah Hill, Vice President, Workforce Opportunity Investments, UMEZ; Anthony Watson, Executive Director, State University of New York Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center; Blair M. Duncan, President and CEO, UMEZ; Honorable Adriano Espaillat, Congressman, New York 13th District. Photo by Burroughs Lamar.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK—This week, UMEZ launched, in partnership with Exact Capital and the Lam Group, the Real Hospitality Group, and the State University of New York Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center, and its administrator, the Borough of Manhattan Community College, the Employer-Driven Bridge Hospitality Training Program—a first-of-its kind program model in Upper Manhattan—that fosters meaningful collaboration between economic and workforce development. The program coordinates training and employment resources with one of UMEZ’s anchor economic development projects, the Victoria Theater Redevelopment Initiative—which is part of the revitalization of 125th Street and will create a 27-story tower with a 211-room Marriott Renaissance Hotel, 191-unit apartment building, retail space, and cultural space for local non-profits.
“As an economic development organization, we know that economic development requires creating program models that are geared towards supporting a skilled and qualified workforce,” said Blair M. Duncan, president and CEO of UMEZ. “The Employer-Driven Bridge Hospitality Training Program is a perfect example of our commitment to sustaining business and local economic growth in the communities of Upper Manhattan.” To effectively prepare Upper Manhattan residents for employment and career opportunities at the Marriott, UMEZ funded an employer-driven skills-building program model that will expand access to project-based employment opportunities.
“This investment and leadership of UMEZ exemplifies economic development and community engagement that our Upper Manhattan community deserves and will deliver,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “The Employer-Driven Bridge Hospitality Training Program benefits our community aligning industry partnerships, academia, training, and employment resources tailored to Upper Manhattan. I am confident that this partnership and outreach to all corners of Upper Manhattan to learn and demonstrate high quality and in-demand hospitality skills that will lead to success in this growing sector and greater career opportunities going forward.”
“The Employer-Driven Bridge Hospitality Training Program, spearheaded by UMEZ, will be an invaluable asset to the Upper Manhattan community, serving as a driver of meaningful and deliberate economic and workforce development collaboration. On behalf of the City of New York, I congratulate UMEZ on this innovative program and continued commitment to the communities they serve, further complimenting the City’s efforts in advancing employment and career pathways for New Yorkers,” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives, City of New York.
The Marriott Renaissance Hotel is expected to generate 58 full-time jobs to operate the hotel, tentatively scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2020.