The NYC Workforce Drop with NYCETC’s Gregory J. Morris

Gregory J. Morris sits down with Andrew Rasiej, civic and social entrepreneur, technology strategist, and Founder of Civic Hall @ Union Square. Together, they explore Andrew’s roots in grassroots innovation, the sweeping disruption of generative AI, and what city and state leaders must do to build a more equitable digital economy.

The discussion begins with Andrew’s early years transforming Irving Plaza into a community space and witnessing the stark digital divide just outside his window. That awareness sparked a decades-long journey: from early efforts to bring tech access to public schools to launching Civic Hall as a national hub for innovation. Andrew shares the moments that shaped his career and why equity has always been the driving force behind his work.

With AI accelerating at breakneck speed, Andrew and Greg examine the dramatic reset now facing workforce systems across the country. From training pipelines and school curricula to outdated infrastructure, they unpack why this moment demands more than incremental change and what it means for middle-skill workers who risk being left behind.

This episode offers a powerful call to action for policymakers, nonprofit leaders, technologists, and public workforce officials: if we’re to build an equitable AI future, we must fundamentally rethink how we train, govern, and lead in the digital age.

Whether you're navigating workforce funding, leading public systems, or trying to understand what AI means for the future of work, this episode offers sharp insights, personal reflections, and a roadmap for what comes next.

Stream the full episode and subscribe for future conversations with changemakers, industry leaders, and the voices shaping New York’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: AI disruption, civic tech, workforce innovation, equity, digital access, public policy, training infrastructure, Civic Hall, middle-skill jobs, NYC digital future, leadership in tech

In our inaugural podcast episode, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris breaks down the urgent realities shaping New York City’s workforce development ecosystem. From how public dollars are being spent to support job seekers to the widening gap between low-wage and high-wage workers, Gregory brings sharp insight and lived experience to a critical conversation.

This episode is your inside look at:

Where New York City’s $640M workforce funding is really going, and who it’s leaving behind.

A reality check on underemployment in NYC, including the overlooked crisis facing middle-wage earners.

Why adult workforce development is underfunded and how that impacts long-term economic mobility.

The challenges nonprofits face in navigating NYC's contracting and procurement systems.

A candid call to philanthropy and business leaders to commit to long-term, multi-year workforce investments.

How equity, accessibility, and diversity must become core tenets of the city’s workforce future.

With underemployment topping 900,000 residents, stagnant wages in fast-growing industries like healthcare and hospitality, and a vanishing middle class, NYC must rethink how it invests in its workers.

This episode dives into the disconnect between economic development and workforce development, and how to fix it. Whether you’re a policymaker, nonprofit leader, business owner, funder, or job seeker, this episode lays out what’s at stake and what must change.

Explore the full conversation on how to build a workforce system that works for everyone.

Topics: Workforce development, public funding, underemployment, youth employment, equity, nonprofit contracting, economic mobility, NYC jobs, middle class, training programs