Yonkers, NY The initial class of students has graduated from a new Yonkers Industrial Development Agency pre-apprenticeship program designed to create union construction careers for area residents.
Twenty students received certificates of completion on Sept. 7 during a ceremony at City Hall. The program began on August 6.
“I want to extend my congratulations to the graduates of the first IDA Pre-Apprenticeship program,’’ said mayor Mike Spano. “You are all true examples of what Yonkers students symbolize. Please continue to strive for the best and don’t stop climbing the ladder of success. Keep up the good work!”
The program, in cooperation with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY AFL-CIO, provides paid apprenticeships in union building trades for residents who are unemployed or underemployed. Participants who finish the training receive a certificate of completion from Pathways Apprenticeship, a direct entry program approved and registered with the New York Department of Labor, and are eligible to work on union construction projects.
The following are students who received certificates of completion on Sept. 7:
- Joseph Abraham
- Jennifer Candelario
- Rolando Cedeno
- Garrick Chisolm
- Javone Cromwell
- Torian Deane
- Emanuel DeJesus
- Natanel Deleon
- Kevin Fortunato
- Nery Gomez
- Xavier Goodwine
- David Jones
- Kenny Pablo
- Jonathan Planas
- Gary Riley
- Peter Santiago
- Jamar Smith
- William Van Buren
- Joanne Walters
- Anita Whittle
Interviews with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY AFL-CIO will be arranged.
The IDA approved spending up to $250,000 to form the pre-apprenticeship program back in December 2017. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma, be drug-free, able to lift at least 50 lbs. and commit to attending all 25 days of classes. The next classes are scheduled to begin in November.
Established in 1982, the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency is a public benefit corporation that provides business development incentives to enhance economic development and job growth in the city.
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