NYC CLC, UFT, Building Trades Host “Future in Focus: Exploring the World of Unionized Labor” at Boys Club of New York in East Harlem

NEW YORK, April 16, 2025 — The New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO (NYC CLC), the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and the New York Building & Construction Trades Council (BCTC) today hosted a Future in Focus: Exploring the World of Organized Labor event at the Boys Club of New York’s Gerry Clubhouse in East Harlem. This event aims to expose high school students to the NYC Labor Movement and educate them on the many different opportunities in union-represented career fields in our city.

Future in Focus was founded in 2017, when the UFT recognized that discussions about options after high school often don’t include opportunities that exist in addition to higher education, like unionized career paths. Since then, the UFT, NYC CLC, and since 2024, the BCTC have hosted this unique event that brings Union representatives together with high school students to highlight different career trajectories, the access points to them, and the impact of the Union difference.

This year we were joined by approximately 800 high school students from 60 schools. Groups travelled from the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn to be able to talk with representatives from 40 New York City Unions.

“New York City is a Union Town, and the future of our City’s workforce depends on the opportunities we create today,” said Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. “Future in Focus is a powerful way to show young people that a good job with a union means a pathway to a secure, meaningful career. We’re proud to stand alongside the UFT and the BCTC to help build the next generation of New York City’s union workforce.”

“With New York City’s high concentration of unionized workers, our Central Labor Council, in partnership with the United Federation of Teachers and the Building and Construction Trades, is proud to host Future in Focus, our union career fair,” said Janella T. Hinds, UFT Vice President of Academic High Schools and NYC CLC Secretary-Treasurer.  “We believe successful career readiness includes our public school students’ exposure to the many supports and benefits that come with union membership.”

“As part of our ongoing commitment to building strong futures and bolstering the middle class, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York is proud to co-host this career fair alongside the NYC CLC and the UFT," said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “This event shines a spotlight on the value of union careers and introduces high school students to the many opportunities available in the skilled trades. By expanding their view of post-secondary options, we’re opening doors to meaningful, family-sustaining careers through pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeships programs, all while showcasing the many benefits of organized labor." 

“Aligned with our mission, the UFT, NYC CLC and BCTC’s Future in Focus career fair will empower young people to explore diverse opportunities and discover new career paths,” said Stephen Tosh, Executive Director & CEO of The Boys’ Club of New York. “The Boys’ Club of New York is a proud co-sponsor and honored to host this event at our Gerry Clubhouse in East Harlem.”