About the Consortium

The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) is a private, non-profit agency that provides a wide array of employment, training, and education services to 90,000 New York City workers annually, including incumbent union members, New Americans and dislocated workers.

CWE encompasses a consortium of 46 major New York City Central Labor Council affiliated unions, representing over 1.4 million New York City workers, providing them with education and training programs to support and enhance their career growth.

CWE’s Worker Service Center Program offer New Yorkers free courses in adult basic education, computer literacy, English As A Second Language (ESL) classes and other programs in neighborhood based locations throughout the five boroughs. The programs are funded by the New York City Council, the New York State Department of Education and the New York State Legislature. In partnership with the New York City Central Labor Council, NYC the Building and Construction Trades Council, the NYC Building Trades Employers Association, the Bakers Union Local 3, and baking industry employers, CWE also operates the a multi purpose training center in Long Island City, Queens which offers programs in artisan baking, culinary skills, pre-apprentice construction skills and a wide array of basic education courses

From 2001 to 2004, CWE managed a special federally funded $32 million Emergency Employment Clearinghouse (EEC) program, providing laid off 9-11 workers and struggling small businesses with employment services and financial aid. As a result of the successful program:

• approximately 7000 New Yorkers were placed in new employment;
• another 3000 jobs were stabilized with wage subsidy support to more than 300 businesses; and
• more than 8000 men and women were provided with training and education assistance.