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March 31st, 2017
Opportunity Academy: Closing Reception
Opportunity Academy is for individuals looking to launch a career in construction office administration. This innovative construction administration training/career readiness program provides students with free training and paid internships intended to help support minority-owned, women-owned and locally based business enterprises. Participants earn while they learn—making $10/hour on the first day of class. Courses are developed and delivered by industry experts who bring their real-world experience into the classroom. The program provides career guidance and support to help participants succeed in their next job interview. It is an incredible opportunity for attentive, self-driven individuals seeking employment in the construction industry.
Developed by the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA), and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), in collaboration with LaGuardia Community College, Opportunity Academy promotes career readiness by preparing individuals for openings in construction office administration—jobs that require knowledge of processes, compliance laws and regulations about public construction management, procurement, labor, and more.
On March 31st, the New York City Department of Design and Construction, School Construction Authority, and LaGuardia Community College hosted the closing reception for the first Opportunity Academy cohort. Throughout the curriculum students learned about the concepts and skills necessary to work at contractor or subcontractor firms that are active in the public construction and procurement process.
Students learned skills that employers in the field find very valuable, such as project labor agreements; payroll management; Vendex procedures; how to manage close-out documents and bid documents; and Procurement Policy Board procedures. Because of the training graduates received they have already put that knowledge to work, in positions at the SCA, DDC and private industries. The experience gained in their 42-week paid internships have prepared them well.
“Opportunity Academy students are entering the field at a great time, a time when the market is white hot for construction and construction management firms,” said Deputy Commissioner Lee Llambelis. “Just witness all the construction around the City, including right nearby here in Long Island City, where there are countless large projects underway.”
I am especially happy to report that all of our Opportunity Academy students are now employed either at the SCA, DDC or in private industry. Clearly the program was a great success,” stated Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora.
