NRTA Graduate Builds Successful Career in Construction

In 2014, Matthew Coward, an Amsterdam Houses resident, was working two jobs to make ends meet – as a construction worker and a grocery store associate earning $13 an hour at each job. When NYCHA’s Resident Training Academy (NRTA) advertised its pre-apprenticeship training opportunities, Mr. Coward decided to apply.

NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) oversees outreach, recruitment, and referrals to training partners for the NRTA. REES also refers NRTA graduates to nine different construction union partners, providing graduates with opportunities to launch careers in the construction industry. After graduating the NRTA in 2014, REES worked with Matthew to refer him to a union apprenticeship partner. Union apprenticeship programs provide a solid pathway to construction careers.  Matthew Coward is just one graduate who solidified his career in construction after successfully completing the NRTA’s construction course and the union apprenticeship program.

After 4 years of training and work experience in the union apprenticeship program, Mr. Coward currently works at a fireproofing job as a Journeyperson, earning three times more than he did before graduating from the NRTA’s construction training and the union apprenticeship.

The NRTA is a collaboration among NYCHA, the Robin Hood Foundation, and a variety of premier training providers in New York City that provides employment-linked training opportunities for NYCHA residents in various fields, including construction. Graduates are connected to training-related opportunities for up to one year after graduation.

“I love working in construction,” Mr. Coward said. “Ever since I started working in Section 3, I was amazed by the results of the job and how you can grow in your career path. It’s a good career. I started from working at a non-union job in construction, and I was earning $13 an hour, and now I am a journeyperson and I make $39 an hour.”

Josephine Melendez, Assistant Director of Adult Education & Training at REES, is part of the team referring graduates to apprenticeship opportunities.

“Construction industry apprenticeships give NYCHA residents the opportunity to obtain the training and skills, but also helps them to embark on a new career pathway,” Ms. Melendez said. “When Matthew came in, he was looking for a change and he took full advantage of the opportunity. To witness him achieve his goal and become a journeyperson is immensely gratifying for the team.”

Since launching in 2010, about 2,847 students have graduated from the NRTA. Every year, there are one or two new training cohorts. At the end of the course, NRTA trainees graduate with 250 hours of training and industry-recognized certifications.

“Everybody should take an opportunity like this,” Mr. Coward noted. “Join the program, get a career in construction. They will not regret it!”

Interested in construction pre-apprenticeship training? To prepare for new work opportunities with unions and other employers in the construction field, you can apply and reserve a spot for an upcoming NYCHA information session. For more information, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z6TPKNH.