Fedcap’s Civic Hall Launches Global Esports Workforce Initiative Linking New York City and the United Kingdom

New York, NY — Civic Hall today announced the launch of the Civic Hall Esports Exchange and Workforce Development Initiative, an innovative program that uses competitive gaming as a gateway to technology education, workforce readiness, and global collaboration. The initiative will be implemented throughout 2026 at Civic Hall in Union Square, connecting New York City participants with peers and mentors locally and internationally, with Fedcap and its network of affiliates in the U.S. and U.K. helping to identify participants, foster cross-border connections, and expand access to opportunity.

Designed to meet young adults where their interests already are, the program will leverage esports to introduce participants to digital career pathways in STEM, IT, broadcasting, event production, and entrepreneurship. Through hands-on learning, team-based competition, and industry mentorship—supported by Fedcap-affiliated workforce and education programs that help bridge communities and create international exchange opportunities—the initiative will build the technical and professional skills needed to succeed in a digital-first economy.

“This initiative reflects how innovation can open doors and bring people together across communities and countries,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of Fedcap. “Through our network of affiliates in the United States and the United Kingdom, we are helping connect young people to new opportunities, new skills, and new possibilities. By meeting them where their interests are and linking them to education and workforce pathways, we are using technology to break down barriers and create meaningful connections that lead to economic mobility.”

“Esports gives individuals a shared language that transcends borders,” said Doug Binette, Director of Civic Hall Programming and the NY Tech Alliance. "Through this exchange between New York City and the United Kingdom, we’re opening doors to global collaboration, digital career pathways, and new ways of learning that simply weren’t possible a generation ago.”

The program will be produced in collaboration with Civic Hall’s NY Tech Alliance, which will lead operations, event coordination, and participant engagement, drawing on its extensive network of technologists, employers, and innovators. Additional partners include Full Sail University, a national leader in entertainment and media education; VOICE (Voice of Intercollegiate Esports), a nonprofit advancing educational esports; and Fedcap and Fedcap UK, which will support workforce development and facilitate international exchange opportunities.

Together, the partners will create an inclusive environment where participants develop teamwork, leadership, and technical skills while building confidence and community connections through structured competition and collaboration.

The program will start in spring of 2026 beginning with recruitment, branding, and team formation in New York City alongside initial training. Participants will engage in hands-on skills development through workshops, practices, tournaments, and mentorship that integrate digital production and career readiness. The program will culminate with a live, hybrid Civic Hall Esports Invitational connecting New York and U.K. teams through competitive play and broadcast production. Following the tournament, Civic Hall will host a Career Pathways Summit, linking participants with employers, industry leaders, and next-step opportunities in technology and digital fields.

The initiative is designed not only to promote healthy competition and teamwork, but also to foster mental well-being, strengthen social connections, and expose participants to real-world career pathways in growing digital industries.

“Esports is more than entertainment—it’s a platform for learning, collaboration, and professional growth,” Susan Paterson, Executive Director, Fedcap Employment UK. “Through this partnership, we are equipping young people with future-ready skills, opening doors to new opportunities and career pathways, and connecting them to a broader global community where technology helps break down barriers and expand what’s possible.”

Hosted at Civic Hall, New York City’s hub for innovation, technology education, and workforce development, the program builds on the organization’s mission to expand access to opportunity through digital training and community-based learning.