Liberty, NY – Thanks to a partnership between Sullivan County’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) and Sullivan BOCES, up to 15 local residents who want to gain basic carpentry skills can do so for free, starting this April.
“While we are fortunate to have a number of skilled contractors in our region, they struggle to find reliable, competent help to meet the demand for their services,” noted Sullivan County Legislature Vice Chair and District 3 Legislator Mike Brooks, who joined his fellow legislators this month in unanimously approving County funding for this program.
“This is yet another example of the Legislature’s commitment to making Sullivan County a better place to live and work,” added Legislature Chair and District 1 Legislator Robert A. Doherty. “I commend our staff for thinking innovatively about what we can offer our residents, and I thank BOCES for joining with us to provide this new path to employment.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with the Center for Workforce Development to create an educational program that provides individuals with the training and skills needed to succeed in the construction field. This project builds upon our mission to provide learning opportunities within our community and help build and maintain our County’s workforce,” said Robert M. Dufour, Ed.D, District Superintendent/CEO at Sullivan BOCES.
The nine-week program is being administered by the CWD, part of the Division of Community Resources. Classes start April 10 and will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Rubin Pollack Education Center on Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty.
“This incredible opportunity is for our adult learners (those age 18+) who live in Sullivan County,” explained CWD Director Loreen Gebelein. “Each week the BOCES instructor will focus on a different aspect of the construction trades: tools, safety, materials, framing, flooring, ceilings, decks, stairs, building inspections, and more. In the final week, my staff will teach students how to build a great resumé and find jobs right away.”
“This is hands-on training at BOCES’ classrooms and shops in Liberty, and graduates of this program will be immediately ready to work with any number of local employers, as the local building industry is growing fast,” said Community Resources Commissioner Laura Quigley. “I encourage anyone interested to contact us right away, as only 15 spots are available for this course.”
To find out more or to sign up, contact the Center for Workforce Development at 845-794-3340 or sccwd@sullivanny.us.