Construction Training Pilot program

Treasure Island is underway of a massive redevelopment where 8,000 units of housing will be created, and 1,000’s of new jobs. In an effort to meet the demand of labor TIHDI has created a private / public partnership with the Treasure Island Development Authority, Local #261 and Local #67, and the employer ECOBAY services, to design and implement a Construction Training Pilot program. The goal was to recruit and train low income TI residents and low income SF residents, to access direct entry into the laborers union for gainful employment through the deconstruction of nuisance buildings on Treasure Island.

Outreach began in September 2017, our graduation was held on November 16, 2017 with our former Honorable Mayor Willie Brown as the honoree speaker, and the graduates were onsite working and gainfully employed by November 20, 2017.

The program ran for seven weeks, and we had an 85% placement rate of our graduates, and ECOBAY offered gainful employment to underemployed individuals with union benefits and a starting wage of $20.00 / hour + HW + Pension plan. While working with the hardest to serve population our program goals were to instill discipline and good communication skills, while working to remove barriers our demographics have to employment. I.e. homelessness, proper documentation, parole or drug treatment obligations, lack of food and transportation.

The graduates were recruited from various agencies who assisted us with wrap around supportive services such as financial self-sufficiency and life skills from Asian Neighborhood Design. While the unions and employer partners provided us with the following certifications:
HAZZWOPPER 40; OSHA 10; 1ST AID; CONFINED SPACE FLAGGING LOCKOUT/TAGOUT; FALL PROTECTION; HEARING CONSERVATION; HEAT ILLNESS; ASBESTOS & LEAD Abatement

These are the beginning steps of a long journey / career for our graduates, therefore our work has only just begun. At this point we are offering continual retention service through our private / public partnership. Our employer has created a 1:1 ratio of graduates paired up with a mentor for training and encouragement of safe and productive work habits. While our TIHDI staff continues to monitor clients growth and barriers to upward mobility.

Our goal is to support and guide our graduates out of poverty, for long term success. We are grateful for the vision and support for our awesome private & public partners. A special shout out to Padraic Ryan, Bob Beck & Rich Rovetti.