Commonpoint Queens partnered with Building Skills New York – a nonprofit construction workforce development organization connecting underemployed and unemployed New Yorkers to construction training and job opportunities in NYC – to develop its Queens Building Trades Success Initiative. Commonpoint’s array of social service supports have led to high retention and completion rates for participants in its initial cohorts and Building Skills New York’s connections in the industry have provided a foray for employment in a robust employer network of real estate developers, general contractors and subcontractors as well as in various unions.
Building on the success of its construction workforce program, the Foundation is supporting Commonpoint Queens’ expansion into allied health career pathways for youth. The program provides no-cost training leading to industry-recognized credentials, including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), EKG/Phlebotomy Technician, Community Health Worker (CHW), and Electronic Health Records Specialist. Early results have been strong, with more than 80% of participants earning credentials across several training programs and job placement rates reaching as high as 92%, demonstrating the program’s ability to prepare young adults for high-demand healthcare careers.