Center for Employment Opportunities and NYS Building & Construction Trades Council Announce Collaboration on Grant from Governor Hochul's Office of Strategic Workforce Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Tiffany Elder
[email protected] | (323) 793-7775
Center for Employment Opportunities and NYS Building & Construction Trades Council Announce Collaboration on Grant from Governor Hochul's Office of Strategic Workforce Development
Buffalo, NY — The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a leading nonprofit dedicated to supporting justice-impacted individuals, in partnership with the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council (NYSBCTC), is excited to announce a monumental $1 million grant from Governor Kathy Hochul's Office of Strategic Workforce Development. This funding will significantly expand opportunities for pathways to family-sustaining careers in general and, particularly, union training programs across the Upstate Region. This collaboration marks a historic advancement in workforce development and economic mobility.
Over the next two years, CEO will launch its expanded training initiatives in Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. This initiative will enable 100 justice-impacted participants to receive comprehensive, paid training, which provides the prerequisites for apprenticeship in the trades represented by the NYSBCTC.
Gary LaBarbera, President of the NYS Building & Construction Trades Council, emphasized the grant's impact: "This collaboration not only furthers our mission to advocate for fair wages and safe working conditions but also significantly broadens access to these opportunities. Through this grant, we are building paths to lifelong careers in the trades for many who thought such opportunities were out of reach."
A unique component of the grant is the provision of a $2,500 matching cash benefit for down payments on a vehicle. This benefit is available to all participants who complete their training and are accepted into union apprentice programs. This critical support ensures that new tradespeople can reliably commute to their job sites, a fundamental need in the construction industry.
Jessica Centeno, CEO's Deputy Executive Director of the Upstate, NY, and Midwest Regions, added, "This grant is a game changer for us and for the communities we serve. By enabling direct entry into the participating trades, we are not only helping individuals build stable, rewarding careers but also contributing to the economic health of the entire region."
Established in 1958, the NYSBCTC represents over 200,000 unionized construction workers in New York State. With 15 local building trades councils, 12 district councils, state associations, and 135 local unions, the Council is a robust advocate for the rights and welfare of its members.
CEO provides an array of services designed to help justice-impacted individuals transition into the workforce and society, including immediate transitional employment with daily pay, job training for in-demand skills, advanced skills certifications for higher-paying jobs, job placement assistance, and ongoing career support.
The collaboration between CEO and NYSBCTC, facilitated by Governor Hochul's generous grant, will enhance the lives of many and ensure continued growth across New York State.
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About Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
The Center for Employment Opportunities is committed to delivering immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to individuals recently released from incarceration. Operating in 30 cities across 12 states, CEO is dedicated to ensuring that justice-impacted individuals have the opportunities and support necessary for socioeconomic mobility. For more information, visit ceoworks.org.
About New York State Building & Construction Trades Council (NYSBCTC)
Established in 1958, the NYS Building & Construction Trades Council currently represents over 200,000 unionized construction workers in New York State. Our 15 local building trades councils, 12 district councils and state associations, and 135 local unions represent the trades that build our roads, bridges, schools, and office buildings. Believing that every worker deserves a fair wage and safe working conditions, our mission is to protect and further these basic privileges.
Contact:
Tiffany Elder, Regional Communications Manager, Center for Employment Opportunities, [email protected], (323) 793-7775
