Program & Initiative Syracuse Build
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Syracuse Build was established by the City of Syracuse in partnership with CenterState CEO to build an inclusive, skilled infrastructure workforce that connects local residents to high-quality careers in construction. Together, they convened a coalition of partners including Onondaga County, Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate University Hospital, CNY Works, Greater Syracuse HOPE, the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative, and the Central Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council to design the framework, establish programs, and raise funding to sustain and expand its impact.
Launched in 2020 by Mayor Ben Walsh as a mayoral initiative, Syracuse Build was created to increase access to construction careers for historically marginalized residents, particularly women and people of color. What began as a city-led initiative has since evolved into CenterState CEO’s construction industry partnership that brings together public agencies, anchor institutions, contractors, unions, training providers, and community organizations. Its purpose is to transform how Central New York invests in local labor, ensuring that major construction projects hire from within the region and that economic growth directly benefits the community.
Syracuse Build has also been a critical workforce strategy supporting the I-81 infrastructure project, led by our strategic partner the New York State Department of Labor. Through community information sessions, skills assessments, and direct referrals to contractors and unions, Syracuse Build has served as a pathway for city residents to access I-81 job opportunities. This coordinated approach helps increase the number of local and diverse apprentices entering the construction trades while fostering a more inclusive and representative workforce across the region.
Today, Syracuse Build serves as the first source hiring mechanism for large-scale projects such as Micron, aligning workforce and industry partners to prioritize local labor and connect residents to high-quality employment opportunities. Programs such as Pathways to Apprenticeship, SUNY EOC Construction Readiness, OCM BOCES Construction Trades, Electrical Maintenance Technician, Welding, HVAC/R trainings, and CDL provide participants with the foundational skills, certifications, and guidance needed to enter union and non-union construction careers.
Recognized nationally by the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Every Day Counts 6 Strategic Workforce Development initiative, Syracuse Build has become a model for how local workforce systems can drive both equity and economic growth. By integrating hiring practices with workforce development, it is reshaping how the region prepares, recruits, and employs local talent for the construction industry.
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Partners
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Programs and Pathways
Syracuse Build connects residents to high-quality training opportunities that lead directly to construction careers. Working with local training providers, unions, and community organizations, Syracuse Build helps participants gain the skills, certifications and industry connections needed to enter and advance in the construction trades.
Syracuse Pathways to ApprenticeshipDeveloped in partnership with the Central Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council, Pathways is an Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP) that prepares participants for entry into registered union apprenticeship programs. The curriculum includes hands-on learning, safety training, and mentorship from local union members, giving participants the foundational knowledge and experience needed to begin a career in the skilled trades. Each year, Syracuse Build operates two adult cohorts and one youth cohort. The adult program consists of 11 weeks of hourly paid training totaling 220 hours, with classes held Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. The youth program is offered in partnership with the Syracuse City School District during the summer and introduces students to construction careers through hands-on learning, field experiences, and exposure to the building trades. Through the Pathways to Apprenticeship program, participants build essential trade skills, develop jobsite readiness, and gain exposure to multiple construction crafts. Graduates are supported in applying to registered apprenticeship programs and transitioning into careers with union contractors across Central New York. |
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Readiness ProgramsThe SUNY Educational Opportunity Center offers several programs that equip participants with essential skills for entry-level employment and apprenticeship. Programs include:
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OCM BOCES Trade and Technical ProgramsOCM BOCES offers adult education programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in high-demand construction and technical fields. Courses include:
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First Source Hiring
Syracuse Build serves as the first source hiring mechanism for the Micron construction project. This process ensures that local residents are prioritized for the job opportunities created through this historic investment in Central New York.
Through a coordinated referral network of community partners, training providers, and trade unions, Syracuse Build connects contractors with qualified, work-ready candidates from the local labor pool. This process supports Micron’s local hiring goals and strengthens community benefit commitments.