To maximize
employment opportunities sparked by ongoing revitalization, the City of New
Rochelle has partnered with Westhab and STRIVE to implement a multi-tiered job
placement and training program. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new employment
office, the “First Source Referral Center,” at 247 North Avenue was held on
Friday, May 26
The
program’s goal is to create employment opportunities for City residents who are
currently not employed or in school. This initiative is an integral component
of New Rochelle’s economic opportunity and non-discrimination policies, and is
funded through the community benefits funds agreement with developers at no
cost to taxpayers. New Rochelle’s redevelopment plan impacts 279 acres of land
around the downtown core and is expected to attract more than $4 billion in new
investment
“As part of
our redevelopment efforts, we are confident this program will prove extremely
beneficial to our community by creating ample opportunity for those in need of
employment and willing to bring their skills and talents to our City’s great
initiative,” said New Rochelle Council Member Jared Rice
Services
include skills assessments, job training, job readiness programs and placement.
"We are excited to be chosen as the operator of the First Source Referral
Center, and bring our employment expertise to the City of New Rochelle"
said Westhab’s Director of Employment Joanne Dunn. "Our program’s
client-centric approach is complemented by STRIVE’s signature CORE attitudinal
job readiness training and Westhab’s job placement/retention strategies.
The combination along with the significant benefit of industry sector-based
trainings will help unemployed individuals in New Rochelle become gainfully
employed."
The program
began earlier this year with an initiative sponsored by New Rochelle’s Master
Developer, RDRXR, to hold a series of events leading to a job fair for
construction trades and potential hiring at their first downtown New Rochelle
development site, 587 Main Street. The event began with two informational
workshops on careers in the construction trades, featuring speakers from RXR
Realty, Hudson Meridian Construction, the City of New Rochelle, and Westhab.
“Working
closely with Westhab, STRIVE and the City of New Rochelle, we have developed a
program that will help us fill these coveted construction positions as work at
587 Main Street and other sites gets fully underway,” said Seth Pinsky of
RDRXR. “Beyond that, the program will help so many more local residents
get the training and career guidance necessary for other construction jobs and
opportunities available throughout the region.”
In addition
to careers in construction, the First Source Referral Center will also include
training and placement in fields such as health care and retail.
“Unlike the
majority of local hiring initiatives, First Source’s extensive program not only
puts individuals in touch with potential employers, but offers the necessary
certification and training to adequately prepare job seekers for job
opportunities, creating not just jobs, but careers,” said Ayanna Wayner, Deputy
Commissioner of Economic Development for the City of New Rochelle.
“Our
development efforts are helping to make New Rochelle the ideal place to live,
work and grow, but that’s not enough,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam
Bramson. “It’s also vital that new investment translate into good jobs and
career opportunities for New Rochelle residents. The First Source job
training program will help ensure that our entire community benefits from
positive change.”
As one of
the most ambitious downtown development initiatives in the history of the
Hudson Valley, New Rochelle’s development plan will extend to more than 12
million square feet of new construction including up to 2.4 million square feet
of prime office space, one million square feet of retail, 6,370 housing units
and 1,200 hotel rooms.