Starting on Monday, July 1, Le Moyne College will be the site of an eight-week hybrid construction training program whose goal is to place individuals into construction jobs to help with an ongoing shortage of workers in the field. The aQuiRe Construction Academy, operated by Buffalo-based CAHill TECH, will host up to 50 individuals on campus for the free program, which is being underwritten by a grant from the Empire State Development’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) and CAHill TECH.
“This program is holistically designed for real people; it’s hybrid and emphasizes mentorship because we understand the flexibility and custom training people need,” said Carley Hill, CEO and Founder of CAHill TECH. “We provide virtual training through the aQuire mobile app, as well as live on-the-job training so that they have the experience to find jobs in the industry. Private construction companies and unions are knocking on our door for workers. We offer assistance with transportation and childcare reimbursements, as well as a career empowerment series. to ensure participants can thrive while job searching and in their new positions.”
“We are excited to welcome CAHill and the people they will be training to campus,” said Bill Brower, special assistant to the president for strategic partnerships and workforce innovation. “Through our ERIE21 workforce program in technology, we have become adept at helping underrepresented people persist in and complete training programs. That is one reason CAHill approached us. Thanks to President LeMura’s leadership, Le Moyne is wired for partnership, and we are excited to be working with CAHill and CenterState CEO to do our part to enable local people to obtain jobs in the trades, especially with the urgent need we have for workers in these fields.”
The comprehensive curriculum, virtual education and demand for skilled construction workers aligns well with OSWD’s goals and the New York Job Development Authority. The program is backed by New York’s Department of Transportation, as one goal is to train and hire participants looking for employment across New York state. Among activities participants will experience are:
- OSHA 10 Certification course training, with each course splitting into two groups of 25 students to ensure personalized instruction and safety.
- Hands-on training with aerial lifts and forklifts in a parking lot on campus;
- A work yard tour at a client worksite to provide students with important real-world exposure;
- A remote job readiness session that will include mock interviews, resume writing workshops and a visit from a representative of a local union.
- A graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 28 for those who complete the program.
During 2024, the goal of the program is to train 300 individuals from all backgrounds for construction careers, with no prior experience in construction required. The curriculum has been curated by construction companies that are hiring and participants who complete the hybrid training program receive multiple certifications that construction companies and OSHA look for. Building partnerships and recruiting from churches, high schools and refugee centers, the program supports disadvantaged community members and minorities, with the curriculum fully translated into Spanish for ESL participants.
