0,000+ in tuition and fees for in-demand occupations), and connections to apprenticeships. Every state has a workforce agency that oversees unemployment insurance, labor market information, and rapid response services for laid-off workers. Registered Apprenticeship programs pay workers while they train for skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, heavy equipment, and increasingly healthcare and IT). For formerly incarcerated fathers, state Department of Labor reentry programs and organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provide transitional jobs and placement. This directory includes AJCs, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and reentry services.
16 Resources
1. NY DOL — Career Centers (Statewide) — Free
New York State American Job Centers provide free job search assistance, resume writing, skills training, career counseling, and unemployment insurance services. 90+ physical locations statewide plus virtual services. Call (888) 469-7365 Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm or visit dol.ny.gov/career-centers to find the nearest location. No appointment needed for most services. Open to all NY job seekers at no cost.
(888) 469-7365 · Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm · Visit Website
2. NY State Job Bank — Free
Official free job board from NY Department of Labor. Search thousands of open positions across all NY regions, industries, and salary levels. Post your resume and set job alerts to receive email notifications for new matching positions. Access at dol.ny.gov/find-job-0. No account required to search. Create a free account to apply directly, save searches, and access career counseling through NY Career Centers.
(888) 469-7365 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
3. NYC Workforce1 Career Centers — Free
NYC's free career centers offering job placement, resume writing, interview preparation, and skills training. Multiple locations across all five boroughs. Brooklyn location at 250 Schermerhorn Street: (718) 780-9200. Walk in Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm. No appointment needed for initial visit. Job coaches help connect NYC residents with employers in their field. Also offers vocational training referrals for career changers.
(718) 780-9200 · 250 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm · Visit Website
4. Goodwill Industries — NY & NJ — Free
Free job training, career counseling, placement services, and digital skills programs across multiple NYC locations. Serves people with barriers to employment including justice-involved individuals, those with disabilities, and long-term unemployed. Located at 4-21 27th Avenue, Astoria. Call (212) 947-7110 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Thrift store employment also offered. Visit goodwillnynj.org for program details.
(212) 947-7110 · 4-21 27th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
5. New York Urban League — Employment Services — Free
Career services and employment programs for African Americans and underserved NYC residents. Services include job placement, skills training, career counseling, and professional development workshops. Located at 204 West 136th Street, New York. Appointment required — visit nyul.org/employment or call Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Free services for qualifying participants. Also offers economic inclusion advocacy and entrepreneurship resources.
204 West 136th Street, New York, NY 10030 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
6. SBA New York — Metro District Office — Free
Small Business Administration NYC Metro District Office providing free business counseling, SBA loan programs, government contracting assistance, and business development resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Located at 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3100, New York. Visit sba.gov/district/metro-new-york or call Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm. Also serves the Long Island and Hudson Valley regions.
26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3100, New York, NY 10278 · Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm · Visit Website
7. SCORE NYC — Free Business Mentoring — Free
Free one-on-one business mentoring and workshops for NYC entrepreneurs and small business owners. 80+ volunteer mentors with expertise across industries. NYC offices in Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn — 2024 Northeast Chapter of the Year. Call (646) 560-2066 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Located at 26 Federal Plaza, New York. Schedule a free mentor session at score.org/newyorkcity. Email score-nyc-marketing@scorevolunteer.org.
(646) 560-2066 · 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
8. SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) — NY — Free
Free employment and training services for SNAP recipients including job search assistance, vocational training, work experience, and support services. Administered through local social services districts across all NY counties. Call (800) 342-3009 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Participants may receive childcare, transportation, and work equipment assistance. Contact your local SNAP office to enroll and begin the program.
(800) 342-3009 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website
9. NY DOL — Virtual Career Center — Free
Access NY DOL career services online including resume review, career counseling, job search tools, virtual workshops, and labor market information. Available statewide without travel at dol.ny.gov/virtual-career-center. Call (888) 469-7365 Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm for assistance. Particularly useful for fathers in rural areas or those with transportation barriers who cannot visit a physical Career Center.
(888) 469-7365 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
10. Year Up — New York — Free
Free one-year career development program for young adults ages 18–29 in NYC. Six months of technical and professional skills training followed by a six-month paid corporate internship in tech, finance, or business operations. Located at 55 Exchange Place, Suite 601, New York. Call (857) 284-6200 or visit yearup.org to apply. No cost to participants. Most graduates earn $50,000+ after program completion.
(857) 284-6200 · 55 Exchange Place, Suite 601, New York, NY 10005 · Full-time program · Visit Website
11. Per Scholas — Free NYC Tech Training — Free
Free technology training and career development for underserved adults in NYC. Programs cover IT support, cybersecurity, software engineering, and cloud certifications. Located at 804 E 138th St., Bronx. Call (718) 991-8400 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Income-eligible participants receive full-time training, job placement support, and career coaching. Graduates earn industry-recognized certifications with starting salaries averaging $50,000+.
(718) 991-8400 · 804 E 138th St., Bronx, NY 10454 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
12. Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) — Free
Free job training and placement for underserved Brooklyn residents. Programs include woodworking, coding, tech support, and other skilled trades. Located at 621 DeGraw St., Brooklyn. Call (718) 237-2017 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Income-eligible participants receive full-time training, job placement assistance, and career coaching. Apply online or walk in to learn about upcoming program cohorts and eligibility requirements.
(718) 237-2017 · 621 DeGraw St., Brooklyn, NY 11217 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
13. Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) — NYC — Free
Free transitional employment program for people with criminal records in NYC. Provides immediate paid transitional work crews, individual job coaching, and permanent job placement assistance. Located at 32 Broadway, Suite 601, New York. Call (212) 422-4430 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Open to individuals recently released from jail or prison. Employment begins quickly — typically within days of enrollment for qualifying participants.
(212) 422-4430 · 32 Broadway, Suite 601, New York, NY 10004 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website
14. Goodwill of Western & Central NY — Free
Free career services, job training, and job placement for residents with barriers to employment in Rochester, Syracuse, and surrounding Central NY and Western NY areas. Located at 422 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester. Call (585) 244-1250 Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm. Serves individuals with disabilities, justice-involved backgrounds, or long-term unemployment. Connects to local employers willing to hire those with employment barriers.
(585) 244-1250 · 422 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 · Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm
15. SBS NYC — Small Business Services — Free
NYC Dept of Small Business Services offers free business courses, legal consultations, and financing support for NYC entrepreneurs and small business owners. 10+ NYC Business Solutions Centers across all five boroughs. Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/site/sbs. Services include business plan development, licensing help, procurement workshops, and hiring assistance. Free for NYC business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
311 · Multiple NYC locations · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
16. Federal Bonding Program — NY DOL — Free
Free fidelity bonds for job seekers with criminal records, addiction history, poor credit, or dishonorable military discharge. Bonds cover the first six months of employment at no cost to the employer, removing a common hiring barrier. Available through any NY Career Center. Call (888) 469-7365 or visit any NY DOL Career Center Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm to request a bond for a specific job offer.
(888) 469-7365 · Through any NY Career Center · Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm