Westchester County lawmakers pass law to expand access to training in construction
It's called "Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects." It will turn every major county construction project into a career training opportunity.
Westchester County lawmakers passed a law on Monday that will expand access to training and careers in construction.
It's called "Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects." It will turn every major county construction project into a career training opportunity.
This is good news for first-year apprentice Jonathan Valdovinos, who is currently working on the Glen Island Bridge Reconstruction Project.
"I want to master my trade because right now, I've only done construction. I want to just learn the trade inside and out and see what opportunities present itself," said Valdovinos.
This legislation requires contractors bidding on large county construction projects to provide hands-on training to workers.
Leaders say it's been years in the making.
"We could have passed something long ago, but we wanted to make sure that we're passing something that is not only something we could get behind as legislators, but make sure that our friends in labor, the people that are going to be impacted most by this, are going to be on the same page," said Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi.
Companies seeking contracts over $250,000 must offer apprenticeship programs. Contractors with 14 or fewer employees will be exempt.
"Hopefully it will keep people in Westchester County and give them careers and health care for their families, dignity when they retire and worker protections," said Ed Cooke, vice president of Westchester Putnam Building Trades.
Leaders say that while this legislation is a step in the right direction, there's still more work to be done.
"We have other legislation that's coming up that's going to help Westchester families, helping our friends in labor, making sure that we're providing the best possible path to good-paying jobs so that we not only help the families, but we help our local economy," said Gashi.
