Design Works (2021-2022)
Connecting underrepresented and low-income New Yorkers to the growing opportunities in New York City’s thriving tech sector, DesignWorks offered no-cost, applied skills education and training. Focused on developing real-world technical skills and competencies, DesignWorks combined classroom instruction, project-based learning, and industry expertise to better prepare people for careers as UX Designers, whether they are working as independent contractors or as employees within larger companies.
CUNY TechWorks (2017-2020), funded by the US Department of Labor, connected underrepresented and low-income New Yorkers to tech-sector jobs via technical training, employment preparation, internships and supportive services. KCC delivered User Experience (UX) Design training. UX Design is a multi-disciplinary approach to user engagement. The process uses psychology, human-centered design and visual design to enhance how a person responds to a product, whether that be a website, mobile application, wearable technology or print material.
The Northeast Resiliency Consortium In late 2013, Kingsborough, in collaboration with seven east coast colleges, was awarded a Department of Labor Round 3 Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (DOL TAACCCT) grant. NRC trained trade-impacted workers, veterans and other individuals for employment and career advancement in three key high-growth sectors (health care, information technology and environmental technologies) that play critical roles during natural and man-made crisis situations. In addition to industry specific training, participants received a suite of employment readiness, job placement, and college preparation services.
Project Rise (2011-2016), funded by the Social Innovation Fund and the NYC Mayor’s Office, provided educational, internship and employment services to young adults. It prepared students for the GED®/TASC exam, supported the development of work readiness skills, and provided opportunities for participants to acquire gainful employment.
CUNY CareerPATH Between 2011 and 2015, KCC’s CUNY CareerPATH provided career and college-focused occupational training, with integrated math skills instruction in Culinary Arts, Food and Beverage Service/Hospitality, and Community Health. Strengthening connections between college transition programs, occupational training, and degree programs—bolstered by strong advisement and enhanced student services—helped students progress through each step of their education and career pathway.
Project Welcome was an employment-driven training initiative delivered by KCC’s CEWD in partnership with KCC’s Office of Continuing Education. Launched in February 2007, the program was made possible by a U.S. Department of Labor Community-Based Jobs Training Grant awarded to Kingsborough to train New York City residents in Tourism and Hospitality. The program was free-of-charge, open to the under- and unemployed and to career changers with an interest in pursuing careers in hospitality and food production. Project Welcome offered three training programs: Hospitality Operations and Management, Hospitality Event and Meeting Planning, and Food Service Operations. The 10-to-12 week training programs included certification test fees, books and supplies, internship opportunities and assistance with job placement. Project Welcome represented a new model for jobs training at Kingsborough; we have used the successful model since for other grant-funded initiatives.
The CUNY Young Adult Program (CYAP) was a partnership of three CUNY colleges – LaGuardia Community College (lead organization), Kingsborough Community College (KCC), and New York City College of Technology (City Tech) supported by the NY Department of Labor from 2009. Each college offered a customized skills training program to prepare participants for employment. CYAP served participants between the ages of 18-24 who were not currently employed or enrolled in school, had their high school diplomas or GEDs, and demonstrated financial need.
Green CUNY Young Adult Program funded by the NYS Department of Labor, used CYAP’s program model and added two components: a “green-awareness” which focused on urban agriculture and the National Work Readiness Credential in the hospitality and culinary industries. The program was composed of college coursework, workshops and lectures that focused on workplace readiness, customer service and business operations. Hands-on experience was further enhanced through internships and with virtual simulations that gave students an insider’s look on how a particular business operates. The training also exposed young adults, 18-24 years old, to concepts of sustainability related to urban agriculture and entrepreneurship. Weekly class topics enhanced their understanding of organic food, carbon footprint, recycling, composting, and other strategies for sustainable living. Participants are able to connect what they learn in the classroom with real world experience through field trips to local farms and community gardens.