Program areas at Brooklyn Workforce Innovations
Red hook on the road:red hook on the road is bwi's commercial driving training program. This four-week program prepares participants for jobs as drivers of "class b/bps" commercial vehicles including trucks, school buses, coach or charter buses, airport shuttle buses and access-a-ride and other para-transit vehicles. The course consists of industry-specific skills, such as map-reading and behind the wheel instruction, as well as job readiness and soft skills, such as mock interviews and customer service skills training. In fy22, bwi enrolled 192 individuals into training, graduating 92%. So far, 78% of graduates have obtained cdl certification and 77% of those licensed have been connected to employment. Starting wages for working graduates are $22.89/hour, on average.
Brooklyn woods: Brooklyn woods trains new yorkers for careers in woodworking and fabrication. Through seven weeks of classroom and hands-on training, graduates learn shop production, wood technology, finishing techniques, cabinet installation, mechanical drawing, and the safe use and proper care of hand and power tools in bwi's custom-built woodworking shop. Graduates are placed in jobs at large and small woodworking shops, construction and home renovation companies, home improvement stores and real estate property management firms. Brooklyn woods also operates a cabinet-building social enterprise which offers employment opportunities to recent graduates. In fy22, Brooklyn woods enrolled 59 participants, graduating 81%. Thus far, 79% of graduates have been placed in jobs in the sector earning $19.63 on average.
Bwi's nycha resident training academy:bwi's nycha resident training academy prepares public housing residents for careers with the new york city housing authority (nycha). Trainees participate in up to six weeks of training for various employment opportunities on nycha developments throughout the five boroughs, including caretaker and construction related roles. Positions with nycha offer opportunities for advancement and excellent benefits. In fy22, this program enrolled 304 individuals, graduating 98% of those enrolled. Thus far, 86% of graduates have been placed into jobs, earning $15.80 on average.
"made in ny" production assistant training program:the "made in ny" production assistant (pa) training program connects underrepresented new yorkers with careers in tv and film production through hands-on training. The intensive four-week program is offered in partnership with the nyc mayor's office of media and entertainment. Participants learn set and office production assistant skills and are placed in jobs on feature films, episodic and reality tv, commercials, music videos and other productions. Annually, positions for graduates of the "made in ny" pa program are plentiful, and wages are strong and rising. In fy22, this program enrolled 72 individuals, graduating 94%. Thus far, 99% of graduates have been connected to employment and are earning an average of $22.62/hour. "made in ny" post production training program:the "made in ny" post production program offers five weeks of training on industry standard post production software and certification by the new york city mayor's office of media and entertainment. The program prepares graduates each year for entry-level positions at post production companies. Entry-level positions often lead to exposure to more technical facets of post production and can help establish a pathway to a more specialized role in the field. In fy22, this program enrolled 43 individuals, graduating 98% and thus far placing 83% of graduates in jobs earing $20.40/hour. Brooklyn networks:brooklyn networks is bwi's telecommunication installation program. Through this program, bwi prepares new yorkers for in-demand careers installing and maintaining computer, voice, data, video and security system cabling. This six-week, full-time training program is led by industry experts and served 60 individuals in fy22, graduating 90% of enrollees. Graduates have the opportunity to obtain their industry recognized building industry consulting service international ("bicsi") certification and quickly begin work in the field. Last year, bwi placed 80% of graduates into jobs earning an average of $19.04/hour. Brooklyn Workforce collaboration:the Brooklyn Workforce collaboration is bwi's employer-customized training program that offers training tailored to specific hiring demands, with a particular focus on growing sectors of new york city's economy. Training programs are developed based on specific employer demand. Bwi has piloted successful training programs in preparation for roles in the affordable housing industry, solar installation, roofing, food manufacturing and tech sectors roles. In fy22, the program served 95 individuals and graduated 86% of those enrolled. Thus far, 82% of graduates have been placed in job earning an average of $21.87.