Graduates from Pre-Apprentice Program
Last year County Legislator Christopher Johnson hosted an information session on becoming a Carpenter after being approached by The New England Regional Council of Carpenters which runs “Sisters in the Brotherhood” a program encouraging women to join the trade of carpentry in what is considered a male dominated field. The two hour information session would later become Suyapa Hernandez of Yonkers, gateway into the career.
After the information session, one woman took full advantage of the opportunity provided. She attended the information session, was later called back for an interview and then underwent a tough 6 week pre- apprenticeship program. On April 12th, 2019 she graduated from the program and was ready and eager to be a part of the Carpenter’s Union. A month later on May 8th, 2019 she was inducted into the Carpenters Local 279. “I am immensely grateful to you for giving me this opportunity,” says Suyapa, “For having this program come to Yonkers and opening the door for me in this new career. Though I went through some hardships to complete this, I am proud to have overcome them and to have completed what I began.”
Legislator Johnson has always been an advocate of hiring locally and he believes opportunities of apprenticeship programs should be expanded in Yonkers. When introduced to the Sisters in the Brotherhood program, he was eager to get the information to his constituents. “It’s imperative that people have an opportunity to work in any field, regardless of gender” said Legislator Johnson. “With residents being rent burdened, and costs of living continuing to rise, everyone deserves a living wage and full benefits to be able to provide for their families.”
The Sisters in the Brotherhood is a program that does recruitment annually. Please reach out to Shatika Parker at shatikap@westchesterlegislators.com or call my office at (914) 995-2813 for more information.
