Press Releases

Freelancers Union Reopens Free Virtual Workforce Training Programs for Freelancers

New York, NY -- Freelancers Hub is back! After a six-month hiatus, Freelancers Union and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) are happy to announce the return of Freelancers Hub’s free online programming for freelancers and creative professionals. Launched in 2018 as a first-of-its-kind free resource as well as a co-working space, Freelancers Hub gives independent workers the tools to develop their professional skills and take their business to the next level, at no cost. The return of a physical space is planned for Fall 2021.

Freelancers Hub offers courses for freelancers of all industries on topics such as finances, contracts & legal issues, marketing, branding, wellness, and more. This year, the Hub will also introduce long-term, industry-specific curriculums that will meet freelancers at any step on their journey, whether they are just starting out or have been freelancing for years.

Freelancers Union and MOME are partnering on the Hub to create a valuable resource for all New York City freelancers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many workers have turned to freelancing for the first time, either as a result of job loss or because they are seeking more flexibility and freedom in their working life. Freelancers Hub is an inclusive, welcoming space for all freelancers who pursue a more meaningful, rewarding career path.

“Freelancers Hub has always been a space in which our city’s creative independent workforce can cowork and attend workforce development programs tailored to helping them succeed in their freelance journey,” said Freelancers Union President Rafael Espinal. “Now, in the post-pandemic economy, Freelancers Union’s unique partnership with the Mayor's office of Media and Entertainment will play a vital role in ensuring workers have the tools they need to get back on their feet. The city’s continued commitment to workforce training is how it will ensure a successful comeback for its residents.”

”New York City’s creative economy is in large part driven by the freelance community, which has been hit hard during the pandemic,” said the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. “The reopening of the Freelancers Hub will provide our local gig workers with free online programming in order to help them to network, learn new skills, and thrive at all stages of their careers.”

The inaugural Freelancers Hub event is presented in partnership with the NYC Department of Consumer & Worker Protections (DCWP). On Thursday, July 8, at 6pm, Freelancer Rights in NYC will cover the Freelance Isn’t Free (FIF) Act and how freelancers can access its protections when faced with client nonpayment. A representative from DCWP will go over the FIF complaint process for New York freelancers and provide an overview of the law and who and how it protects.

About Freelancers Union
Freelancers Union is the largest and fastest-growing organization representing the 57 million independent workers across the country. It gives its 530,000 members a voice through policy advocacy, benefits, online resources, and educational and community-building events in nearly two dozen cities. Since its founding, Freelancers Union has fought for and won protections for freelance workers, including the first-of-its-kind Freelance Isn’t Free Act in New York City, which gives freelancers unprecedented protection from nonpayment and underpayment. Learn more at www.freelancersunion.org.

About the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) is to ensure New York City continues to be the creative capital of the world by supporting film, television, theatre, music, publishing, advertising and digital content and ensuring those industries work for New Yorkers. In 2019, the creative industries account for more than 500,000 local jobs and have an economic impact of $150 billion annually. MOME comprises four divisions: The Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting; NYC Media; the Office of Nightlife; and educational and workforce development initiatives.