State-of-The-Art Facility Toured by Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, New York State Attorney General Tish James, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Community Leaders at Grand Reopening. Photo courtesy
District Council 9, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), today hosted the grand reopening of their new state-of-the-art training facility in Queens. The new facilities represent “A New Finish For Bright Futures.” At the event, New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, New York State Attorney General Tish James, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) President James Whelan, and members from the unionized construction industry and local contractors toured the new training center. The renovations and improvements to the facility represent a major investment in the next generation of apprentices and union workers.
“DC 9’s new training center has been a long time coming, and we are proud to showcase this major investment in the training of union workers for New York City elected officials and community leaders,” stated BM/ST Joseph Azzopardi. “The training center will create opportunities for so many hardworking New Yorkers and provide the skills and education to grow New York’s workforce. We thank all who were able to attend today and for making this facility a reality.”
“By providing opportunities to uplift working class New Yorkers, DC 9’s new training center represents a new beginning—ushering in and helping to create a more inclusive, equitable New York as we emerge from the pandemic,” stated New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. “Governor Kathy Hochul and I commend DC 9 for their continued commitment to building a New York where people can pursue good-paying jobs that allow them—and their loved ones—to achieve the New York Dream.”
The learning center will help painters in the city of New York. Photo courtesy
“I was proud to join District Council 9 in Queens for the re-opening of its training center,” stated New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “For over 100 years, the members of District Council 9 and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades have worked tirelessly to improve the infrastructure of our state, and this center will help keep that going for years to come.”
“DC 9 has some of the best-skilled, most knowledgeable and accomplished craft workers in New York’s construction industry,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “The renovated training center will set the bar even higher for the industry-leading training offered by DC 9. This is an incredible accomplishment for the organization and the union’s leadership team at a time when our state and nation need highly skilled workers to tackle massive infrastructure needs.”
“I congratulate District Council 9 (DC 9) and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) on the grand reopening of their newly upgraded facility that will continue to provide New Yorkers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in our economy,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Governor Hochul made it clear that workforce development is a key component of her master plan to move New York forward from the pandemic. This significant investment is a shining example of what needs to be done to support our workforce of the future.”
DC 9’s new training facility will create significant pathways to the middle-class for many hardworking New Yorkers. It will also allow for the continued growth of all of DC 9’s programs, with more space and opportunities for people to learn. DC 9 is committed to providing high-quality skills and safety training for workers in New York’s construction industry. With the creation of this new state-of-the-art facility, DC 9 is continuing their mission of creating family-sustaining careers at the apprenticeship level and beyond.
