"Good Morning.  This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

"In tough economic times, it's easy for job-seekers to get discouraged.  But it's important not to give up, because there are still jobs being created, and we're doing everything we can to identify growth industries and help New Yorkers find jobs in those industries. In January, I set an ambitious goal for the City's Department of Small Business Services: to place 20,000 New Yorkers in jobs by the end of the year.  That's 3,000 more than last year's all-time high of some 17,000 placements.

"Now, some might expect a recession to reduce job placements, but we're determined not to let that happen. In hard times, City Government has to work even harder for New Yorkers - and we have been.  I'm pleased to report that with more than a quarter of the year behind us, we've already placed more than 5,000 New Yorkers in new jobs.  That puts us on track to reach our goal of 20,000 placements by the end of the year.

"There are many reasons why we've been able to increase job placements, even as the economy has slowed. First off, we significantly expanded operations at our Workforce 1 Career Centers across the city to include new weekend and evening hours.  Our career centers are now open until 8 p.m. three days a week, and are also open on the first and third Saturdays of every month.  You can find one convenient to you by calling 311, or going online to the City's website at www.nyc.gov.

"We're also investing more in training and career preparation than ever before. Thanks to an infusion of federal dollars, our training budget for the new fiscal year is twice what it was just two years ago. Training programs run through our Workforce 1 Centers can help displaced workers sharpen their skills and increase their earning potential, and in some cases, find new jobs that are even better than the ones they lost. 

"Even in a down economy, some industries continue to grow. That's why we've begun creating sector-based Workforce 1 Centers that train and place people in industries where the demand for their skills is the highest.  Last year, we opened a transportation-related center in Southeast Queens that capitalizes on the community's proximity to the airports and places New Yorkers in aviation and transportation jobs that typically pay more than $12 an hour. And this summer, we plan to open two more career centers focused on strong industries.

"Another way we're maximizing our city's pool of talent is through JumpStart NYC, a job-training and placement program that pairs up laid-off workers with companies and small businesses that are just starting out, and could really benefit from their expertise. Last Friday, the first 50 workers to participate in the program graduated from a week-long entrepreneurial 'boot camp.'  On Monday, these experienced workers will begin 10-week internships with start-up companies, which may well lead to full-time jobs.  

At the heart of our Administration's 'Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan' is a pledge to create or preserve 400,000 jobs over the next six years. The initiatives I've just described will help us get there.  They will train New Yorkers for the jobs of today, help our businesses create the jobs of tomorrow, and keep our city moving towards a brighter future. 

"This is Mike Bloomberg.  Thanks for listening."