New York Metropolis’s subsequent frontier of labor is in gaming because the state considers awarding as much as three new downstate on line casino licenses. Fortunately, we’ve got a trusted accomplice proper right here in Queens prepared to assist this new workforce thrive, delivering 1000’s of jobs within the trade as quickly as subsequent yr.
By now you’ve hopefully seen the headlines: Resorts World New York Metropolis will create 5,000 high quality jobs as a part of its $5.5 billion growth. Whenever you get right down to it, the Large Apple’s solely on line casino will add one other 5,000 everlasting workforce members inside 6 months of being granted a industrial on line casino license. Formidable? Sure. Crucial? Completely. Doable? You wager.
What stands out essentially the most is the proactive strategy Resorts World is taking now to get New Yorkers prepared for careers tomorrow. Whether or not it’s the free course they provide in partnership with CUNY or the soon-to-open Resorts World Profession Middle proper right here in downtown Jamaica, Resorts World has taken a ahead foot to assist uplift Queens residents and protect the center class that makes this group sturdy.
Resorts World’s proactive push couldn’t come at a extra crucial time. All of us ought to have been alarmed earlier this yr when Comptroller Tom DiNapoli warned town’s youth unemployment price had hit 13.2%. We might have even executed a double take once we noticed the share of Black New Yorkers, ages 16 to 24, who’re out of labor is 23.8%.
Younger New Yorkers want jobs, they want profession paths, and so they want them quickly. That’s why many people in financial improvement are enthusiastic about alternatives that may come on-line when the state awards as much as three new industrial on line casino licenses. As a result of Resorts World has been in our yard for almost 15 years, we’ve got a pattern dimension of what these careers will appear to be. About 80% of their 1,000 workers stay inside 5 miles of the ability, which means their annualized median wage of $39 per hour, or $80,000 a yr, stays proper right here in Southeast Queens.
These aren’t jobs simply on the gaming flooring. These New Yorkers have discovered work in hospitality, group improvement, IT, safety, amenities, and meals and beverage — simply to call a number of. Resorts World noticed the influence their numerous departments had on Queens’ lives and knew they wanted to do extra.
So, in 2022, they partnered with CUNY/York Faculty to ship the “Intro to Gaming Operations” course. This free, six-week class has proven scores of Queens residents — together with many Resorts World workforce members — the total scale of alternatives inside the gaming trade. Demand for this course has been so in style that Resorts World and CUNY/York added a second providing this yr.
“Intro to Gaming Operations” is simply the tip of the iceberg for Resorts World’s workforce improvement plans. Within the subsequent few weeks, the Resorts World Profession Middle will open at Jamaica Station to turn into an accessible, group hub the place 1000’s of individuals strolling by on Archer Avenue can discover out about profession potentials on the on line casino. That will probably be adopted up with experiential previews of what their state-of-the-art supplier college mirrored on their present one within the Catskills.
You’ll hear extra within the coming weeks about how this plan will assist uplift numerous households, each right here in Queens and throughout New York Metropolis. However I’ll say we’re excited in regards to the new alternatives coming on-line, the generational wealth it is going to assist construct, and the proactive effort Resorts World is taking to make their desires come true.
