Syracuse Build: Creating Pathways to Opportunities in High Demand Industries

Syracuse Build is a community initiative launched by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh to support local construction activity by connecting job seekers from Syracuse’s historically marginalized communities with career pathways in construction related fields. Syracuse Build’s goal is to align local government, anchor institutions, construction firms, and unions in a coordinated network of community, training and workforce partners.

CenterState CEO’s Work Train team connected resources and partners to launch Syracuse Build, and Work Train staff led the development of Syracuse Build’s signature program, Pathways to Apprenticeship. The program focuses on helping women, people of color and veterans gain access to the building trades’ registered apprenticeship programs. It is designed to prepare a local workforce for the significant demand for construction jobs, with a focus on opportunities related to I-81 construction. Syracuse Build is housed within CNY Works and supported by the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Syracuse University, and Upstate Medical University Hospital.

• In 2021, CenterState CEO and the City established Syracuse Build within the county’s public workforce agency, CNY Works, to gain access to state and federal resources supporting high-impact training programs.
• CenterState CEO has helped raise nearly $2 million to hire Syracuse Build staff and pilot training programs.
• 25+ partners have helped pilot and launch 7+ training programs serving 110+ participants, including the Pathways to Apprenticeship program.
• In 2022, efforts continue to increase capacity within CNY Works and align with the Department of Labor and other local workforce partners. Recruiting and applicant tools are being established to connects job seekers from the city and employers with training
  and career pathways in construction related fields

Pictured above: 30+ city of Syracuse residents graduated from the first two cohorts of Pathways to Apprenticeship. Cohort three begins May 2022, with cohort four starting in late 2022.