LaGuardia Launches Job Training Program for NYCHA Residents

June 2, 2020

NOTES:

• LaGuardia’s Career Assessment Tool is free and available to anyone on our website. Two questionnaires are available (six or 60 questions) to help connect personal interests to job/career areas

• While the assessment component is free, some of the programs may have some associated costs.

• Program is open to NYCHA residents in Western Queens. Residents of Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria Houses who are interested in joining should email careerdevelopmentcenter@lagcc.cuny.edu.

• LaGuardia has 130+ degree and certificate programs— 60+ associate degree majors, high school equivalency, ESL, and accelerated training programs to get folks to work fast

• Program participants will have access to LaGuardia Community College’s robust student services

LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City is launching a career readiness program for NYCHA residents in partnership with state Senator Michael Gianaris and Urban Upbound.

The Linking Interests to Careers Program will enable NYCHA residents to match their individual interests [using LaGuardia’s Career Assessment Tool] to education and career training programs that will pair those individuals with future job opportunities.

…LaGuardia Community College career counselors with the assistance of Urban Upbound will proactively reach out to residents of the Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria Houses to find people whose employment prospects will be enhanced by enrolling in workforce training, pre-academic programs like English language classes and high school equivalency, or an associate degree program.

…With the funding secured by Gianaris, partial or full scholarships will be provided to participants along with tools such as free MetroCards. Participants will also receive guidance in building their résumé and job interview preparation.

…LaGuardia Community College Interim President Paul Arcario said: “Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, our Career Assessment Tool will match each participant to an education or training path that positions them for a job. The tool aligns an individual’s personal interests to possible career choices. Students who like gaming, for instance, can be shown a path to earning a tech certificate or associate degree that offers real job opportunities.”

Emily Bonilla, 27, a Ravenswood resident with a 4-year-old daughter, Allyson (pictured at right), is thankful for the new program and the guidance it provides.

“I’ve been wanting to make a better life for me and my daughter,” Bonilla said. “I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field, but didn’t know what area to pursue. The career assessment confirmed that healthcare is the right field for me. With my adviser’s help, I’ve decided to major in radiology technology. I can’t wait to start in September. I’m so grateful for this program, which will allow me to earn my degree in a field I’m very interested in, without accruing debt. The fact that it’ll help pay for my tuition, textbooks and MetroCard mean everything.”

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