(NEW YORK CITY) - Beyond securing job protections and negotiating contracts, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council (DC) 37 invests in its Members by building pathways to better careers with higher earning potential.

That’s why Workers employed in the New York City Parks Department are encouraged to apply for the Parks Gardener and Climber & Pruner Training Programs.

Subject matter experts from Local 1505 New York City Attendants, Park Service Workers, City Park Workers and Debris Removers, and Local 1507 New York City Parks Gardeners helped develop the Apprenticeship Programs in conjunction with New York City Parks Workforce Development to address difficult-to-fill titles.

Local 1505 President Dilcy Benn is delighted her Members have the opportunity to grow their careers and become qualified candidates for positions struggling against attrition: “I care about my Members and want to change their lives for the better. They wouldn’t make this amount of money in my Local, so with this program, they can make more and learn more.”

The 12-month Parks Gardener Training Program is open to all active, full-time Parks Employees who want to expand their skills and knowledge of horticulture, botany, and gardening.

Each person receives instruction from former Gardeners, takes classes at the New York Botanical Garden, gains necessary certifications, and is more prepared to pass the Civil Service and Commercial Drivers’ License exams.

Local 1508 Uniformed Park Supervisor Tonia Robinson is one of the Gardener Program’s Trainers who began in the Parks Department as a City Seasonal Aide and then advanced to become a Gardener, and finally, a Park Supervisor: “It’s hard to fill these positions because the training is expensive and difficult to access for most Parks Workers. There’s college courses and classes at the New York Botanical Garden, but it gets pretty pricey.”

To Continue Reading This Apprenticeship And Training Labor News Story, Go To: NYC Parks Apprenticeships Address Historically Hard-to-Recruit Titles – LaborPress