Monday, February 12, 2018
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the City of Springfield Office of Housing and the Hampden County Regional Employment Board (REB) graduated the first of two training groups of a 200-hour construction training course for unemployed and under-employed individuals as part of the City’s new Healthy Homes Program.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Continued workforce development is very important to my administration and vital so that everyone can prosper in our rising economy. Also, ‘back to the future’ – very happy that our Putnam Vocational-Technical Academy is being utilized after hours too.”
The graduates were trained at Roger L. Putnam Technical Academy in carpentry, basic construction skills, energy efficiency, and OSHA 10 worksite safety. In addition, trainees were awarded a MA De-Leading License and a Mold Abatement certificate as a result of the training they received at ATC Group Services in West Springfield. These graduates are now more competitive for positions on construction crews, as a carpenter’s helper, or in property maintenance occupations. For more information on the program contact Larry Martin at lmartin@rebhc.org or (413) 755-1361.
The next construction training group is scheduled to begin in February 2018. Individuals who are interested in participating in the next training group may contact Joe Mineo of FutureWorks at JMineo@futureworksjobs.org or (413) 858-2845. FutureWorks is located at 1 Federal Street, Building 103-3, Springfield, MA 01105.
Participants must reside in eligible neighborhoods within the City of Springfield, including Brightwood, Old Hill, Upper Hill, Six Corners, Memorial Square, Metro Center, South End, and portions of Liberty Heights and Forest Park. Instruction will take place at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy during the after-school hours from 3:15 to 7:15 p.m.
This workforce training effort is aligned with the City of Springfield’s Healthy Homes program, a whole-home housing rehab program that focuses on home energy efficiency and environmental safety for residents. Eligible homeowners may apply for a 0% interest, forgivable loan, the funds from which would be used to complete a wide variety of home improvement jobs that will bring old homes up to city code.
For more information about the Healthy Homes Program, please contact Nigel D. Greaves, Senior Program Manager, Healthy Homes, at ngreaves@springfieldcityhall.com or (413) 886-5050.