With the rapidly growing high-tech economy expanding throughout the state, New York has taken advantage of a unique opportunity to strengthen its position as a national leader in cutting edge technology-based economic growth and job creation. The office of the governor recently launched the new web site http://www.hightechNY.com, which advertises more than 40,000 available high-tech jobs in the private and public sectors.

This web site is a product of the ongoing partnership between Empire State Development (ESD), the State Department of Labor (DOL) and New York's private sector business community to meet the workforce needs of the 21st Century. The web site is dedicated to providing a comprehensive list of high-tech job opportunities using data from the Labor Department and opportunities entered into the database by private sector employers.

The site is updated daily and provides links to corporate web sites as well as municipal and industry-based economic development organizations. Additionally, New York state now offers high-tech interactive job fairs at 11 locations across the state that allow businesses to post job listings at one location and have it seen by job seekers statewide.

Assemblyman Thomas Alfano explains, "This web site sends a clear message that New York state has a commitment to the new high-tech economy. Efforts like www.hightechNY.com help diversify and expand our economy and keep New York on the cutting edge. This web site is also a great way to reach out to young people to alert them of the exciting new opportunities in the high-tech market."

New York state has become a national leader in the high-tech fields. The American Electronics Association ranks New York second in the nation in total number of high-tech establishments (13,368) and third in employment (328,782 workers) in 1998. IBM's recent decision to establish a 300mm chip fabrication plant further elevates the state's ability to attract future high-tech investments.

High-tech companies with job opportunities in New York can post openings in the state's Internet database by opening a free account directly from the web site or by calling 1-800-STATE-NY. Companies that would like to provide a link from www.hightechNY.com to their web sites can send their URL to hightechNY@empire.state.ny.us. Those interested in participating or attending an interactive job fairs can call 1-800-HIRE-992.