NYC opens first public sector IT academy

New York City has launched its first Information Technology (IT) Management Academy, a three-month professional development programme focused on strengthening digital leadership across municipal agencies.

Matthew Fraser, Chief Technology Officer, and Louis A. Molina, Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), have opened the inaugural cohort. Twenty-seven senior IT professionals, selected from more than 100 nominations, will take part in a curriculum designed to develop managerial skills, strategic thinking, and understanding of citywide technology operations.

Ray Legendre, Senior Director of Communications at the city’s Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI), told Cities Today the Academy’s content would be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in technology.

“We will continue to work with agency CIOs to ensure the curriculum reflects the strategic IT direction of our city government, particularly as it relates to emerging technologies,” he said.

Regular check-ins during and after the programme will aim to ensure graduates have the resources to progress in their careers.

The OTI is funding the programme to remove financial barriers and support the development of IT leadership within city government. Participants represent 19 agencies, including the Department of Transportation, NYC Schools, and the Bronx and Brooklyn district attorneys’ offices.

The training is structured around three areas: managing human resources, navigating city systems and processes, and learning from experienced IT executives. Topics include leading teams, building emotional intelligence, aligning technology resources with organisational objectives, and stakeholder engagement.

Legendre added that the influence of the inaugural class should extend beyond the 27 participants.

“We expect this select group to be force multipliers both in leading their teams and agencies to tackle IT-related challenges,” he said. “This programme is just a start and we look forward to future instalments.”

The Academy intends to build a network of IT leaders who can collaborate on practical challenges, drawing on expertise from the public and private sectors, academia, and other city technology networks.

Image: Andres Lopez-Ovejero/NYC Office of Technology and Innovation