SYRACUSE — Syracuse Build’s signature program, Pathways to Apprenticeship, on July 15 held a graduation ceremony for the program’s third class. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, CenterState CEO, the Central and Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council, and other community partners acknowledged the group’s effort during the event, according to a CenterState CEO July […]
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SYRACUSE — Syracuse Build’s signature program, Pathways to Apprenticeship, on July 15 held a graduation ceremony for the program’s third class.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, CenterState CEO, the Central and Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council, and other community partners acknowledged the group’s effort during the event, according to a CenterState CEO July 19 announcement.
Syracuse Build is a mayoral initiative, housed within CNY Works, supported by CenterState CEO’s Work Train. The program has helped residents get involved in pre-apprenticeship programs and work toward credentials in “high-demand” sectors, including construction; electrical mechanics; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC; advanced/high-tech manufacturing; commercial driving; and software development, CenterState CEO said.
All 14 graduates are currently working on union applications and testing. The 30 graduates from cohorts one and two have all been invited and/or accepted into union apprenticeship, union membership, or a union bootcamp.
The apprenticeship-readiness training program focuses on preparing women, people of color, and veterans to help them pursue involvement in the building trades’ registered apprenticeship programs.
“We know the Pathways program is directly impacting the lives of people in our community by giving them the tools they need to achieve their passion and potential,” Ebony Farrow, program manager for Pathways to Apprenticeship, said. “It is rewarding to see people connect with this program and realize there is a place for them in construction. Their skills and experience bring value and new perspectives to this industry. I encourage women, especially women of color, to apply to Pathways and see how this program can support their goals.”
Throughout the Pathways to Apprenticeship program, participants have worked to attain the physical and technical skills needed to be competitive and successfully apply for a registered union apprenticeship. Entering a union-sponsored registered apprenticeship “can be highly competitive;” throughout the program, participants had exclusive networking opportunities with local trade unions and coaching and preparation for the registered-apprenticeship application process, CenterState CEO said.
“The Central and Northern NY Building Trades Council is proud to partner with the Syracuse Build program,” Alan Marzullo, business manager and financial secretary for IBEW Local 43, said. “The foundation this program provides graduates will enable them to access well-paying union construction jobs. The skills they’ve developed will position them well as they pursue opportunities on the immediate horizon, and those well into the future.”
The Pathway to Apprenticeship program is a collaboration of the Central and Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council (CNNYBTC) and Syracuse Build. It teaches the nationally recognized North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) multi-craft core curriculum.
Fourth cohort
The program is now accepting applications for a fourth cohort, and the applications are due Aug. 31, CenterStateCEO said.
The Pathways to Apprenticeship program will notify candidates for the fourth class by Oct. 21 and the program will run between Nov. 1 and Jan. 20.
The program will begin accepting applications for the fifth cohort this October, CenterState CEO said.
Training is tuition-free and accepted participants will be paid for their time in the program. By expanding the initiative, partners hope to connect with more individuals and prepare them for the growing number of construction-job opportunities.
Acceptance into the Pathways program is “competitive,” and to meet the minimum requirements, applicants must be 18 years or older; live in the city of Syracuse; desire a career in construction; be authorized to work in the U.S.; have a high-school diploma or equivalent; be able to read, write, and speak in English for training and safety purposes; and be physically capable to do construction work.
Funding for the Pathways program comes from several community partners, including the City of Syracuse, Greater Syracuse HOPE, Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative, North America’s Building Trade Unions, Central New York Community Foundation, United Way of Central New York, and the Alliance for Economic Inclusion.