Navy Yard Employment Center Helps Launch Dreams

Another Labor Day has passed us, allowing us to reflect on the economic and social contributions of workers over the past centuries.

This year, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92 celebrates the rich history of job creation within the walls of the Navy Yard with an exhibit that highlights the significant contributions made by the first women and African Americans who worked here, ranging from the ‘Rosie the Riveters’ during WWII to a local resident who walks to work at one of the 275 business operating in the Yard today.

This past spring, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Employment Center moved to BLDG 92, providing visitors direct access to its resources. The employment center assists Brooklyn residents in their job search and works closely with Navy Yard tenants and local businesses to assist with their hiring needs and growth. For job seekers, the center currently offers help with resume preparation, one-on-one job coaching, mock interviews, and employment placement services. For local employers and yard tenants, they offer business services, assessing hiring needs, prescreening candidates, and assisting with recruitment efforts – all at no cost to the business or the job seeker. Over the past year, with a grant through the Robin Hood Foundation, the Employment Center has been able to nearly double the number of job placements.

To further expand services for job seekers, the center recently partnered with Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI), the leading workforce development organization behind the Brooklyn Workforce Collaborative (BWC). BWC is comprised of five of New York City’s premier training providers including BWI, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, Consortium for Worker Education, Center for Employment Opportunities and Nontraditional Employment for Women. This allows for the creation of tailored training programs for Navy Yard tenants. BWI has already begun to host one of its signature training programs, Made in New York, for careers in film production onsite in BLDG92.

Whether the Employment Center is assisting employers by offering business services, connecting local individuals to employment or training opportunities the commitment to grow a strong local workforce that supports a strong local economy is our mission.

Sara Rivera came to the Employment Center in December, 2011, in search of an opportunity that would lead her to a new career. As an unemployed single mother it was important for Sara to find employment close to home that would give her the ability to provide for her family. After working in jobs with little room for growth, Sara was ready to begin building her career path and grow professionally. Today, Sara is working for a Navy Yard-based business and has received two promotions within eight months. She feels proud and happy to be working again. And although she admits that, “this is not the most important job in the world,” she still appreciates that it makes her “feel important and happy.”

Sara is one of hundreds of stories of workers in the Yard making a difference for a small business and contributing to New York City’s economy.  Visit us and celebrate the contributions workers have made over centuries and continue to make here everyday. 

Visit www.bldg92.org or call 718-907-5992 for more info. The visitor center is open from Wednesdays through Sundays, Noon to 6 p.m., and on select holidays

Cristal Rivera is Director of Workforce Development for Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation and oversees all placement, business development and training programs.