NYCHA’s First-Ever “Plasterer Academy” Opens

LaToya Cleary has spent 14 of her 23 years at NYCHA as a Plasterer Helper. She enjoys working with her hands – in part because her father was a builder in Brooklyn – and aims to become a Plasterer. 

Thanks to a new NYCHA initiative dubbed the “Plasterer Academy,” she may be able to achieve this goal. For the next six months, Ms. Cleary and seven other Plasterer Helpers will have the opportunity to hone their skills in the trade and take another shot at the plasterer civil service exam.  

“Our job is to get them over the little hump, because they took the test in the past – and now we’re going to prepare them to pass it,” said Ray-Anthony Hall, a NYCHA Plasterer who is also an instructor for the program. “They’re going to go into the field and work with another Plasterer. Whatever help they need, we’re going to give it to them. And when they pass the test, they will be able to go back into the field and work on their own.” 

Efrain Diaz, who has been a Plasterer Helper for 13 years, is excited about the program and the prospect of qualifying to become a plasterer.  

“When I came into plastering, I didn’t know anything about it, but I’ve learned so much and I love it,” said Mr. Diaz. “They want to train me even better this time. I know I almost passed the test, so that’s why I’m in this program – so they can help me pass the test.”  

Calcedonio Bruno, Vice President for Technical Services, explained that the program is designed to give an opportunity to employees in the Caretaker J position so they can advance in their careers. He credited Supervisor Plasterer Geoffrey Psillos for his technical expertise, which helped develop the program. 

“While we’re always looking for new opportunities for staff to get promoted, this program also helps NYCHA to fill positions that are difficult to fill,” Mr. Bruno said, adding that “NYCHA has a continuous need for plasterers, but there is a lack of new plasterers. Therefore, as people retire, it becomes difficult to find replacements.”  

Over the course of the program, the trainees will learn everything about plastering, “from basic framing, to preparing scratch and finish coat,” said Mr. Hall.  

On July 28, NYCHA executives and union representatives visited the trainees at the “Plasterer Academy” training grounds at Astoria Houses, including Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble, Chief of Staff Andrew Kaplan, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer Lauren Gray, and Local 237 Union Housing Division Director Carl Giles. They thanked the trainees for taking part in the program and asked them to provide feedback to help further develop the program.