The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) is a private, non-profit agency that provides a wide array of employment, training, and education services to over 80,000 New York City workers annually, including union members, New Americans and dislocated workers.

The CWE is the workforce development arm of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO whose affiliated unions represent over 1.4 million New York City workers.  The CWE was created to provide all new Yorkers with access to education and industry specific skills training programs to support and enhance their career growth.

The CWE’s Worker Service Center Program offers New Yorkers free courses in adult basic education, computer literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), General Equivalency Diploma (GED) 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, the NYC Building and Construction Trades Council, the NYC Building Trades Employers Association, Bakers Union Local 3, and baking industry employers, the 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 range of basic education courses.

The Jobs to Build On program (JtBO) is a jobs creation initiative funded by the New York City Council and sponsored by the Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.  The JtBO expands the efforts of a network of established career service providers citywide.  Adult education, workforce readiness, industry specific skills courses and job placement services are available at no cost.  For more information, please go to www.jobstobuildon.org.

From 2001 to 2004, the CWE managed a special $32 million federally funded Emergency Employment Clearinghouse (EEC) program, providing laid-off 9-11 workers and struggling small businesses with employment services and worker wage subsidies. As a result of the program, approximately 7,000 New Yorkers were placed in new employment; another 3000 jobs were stabilized with wage subsidy support to more than 300 businesses; and more than 8,000 men and women were provided with training and education assistance.

The CWE was established in 1985 and is headquartered at 275 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

The CWE can be reached by calling 212 647–1900.