FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Advisory
March 11, 2026
BuildnBeyond Rockland County
Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard T. Phillips, Jr., Stony Point Supervisor Amy Conklin Stamm, Stephanie Melowsky of the North Rockland Chamber of Commerce and Deborah Studnitzer and Debra Thomas of the Workforce Development Board are very pleased to announce a comprehensive 200 hour Pre-Apprentice Training Program that will be open for applicants that meet certain criteria with programs starting in April and June of this year.
BuildnBeyond is an exciting program that allows participants to obtain various certifications and trade specific training. In addition, there will be an opportunity to gain valuable career-long knowledge and insight as well as self-management, money management, interpersonal skills and much more. Training is provided at no cost to the participants as the funding is provided by the Green Economy Fund. There are numerous partners and supporters of this program and this collaboration of municipalities, businesses, schools, labor unions, workforce development and chambers of commerce help ensure its success and why this program is exceptional.
Supervisor Phillips said that “This program can provide an accelerated entry into the trades and a bridge to success that offers exposure to different options and great opportunities for the future. In addition, it will provide a solid foundation for a worthwhile and exciting career. I applaud the trade unions, Workforce Development Board, NR Chamber of Commerce and all the other partners and supporters for bringing this program to fruition for Rockland County.”
Supervisor Stamm stated that “The BuildnBeyond program is an outstanding opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the trades. This program will give participants the training and real-world knowledge they need to begin a successful and rewarding career path. I strongly encourage young people in our community to take advantage of this opportunity and explore the many possibilities that skilled trades can offer.”
Business Manager of the Laborers Local 754 Stephen Reich said “Laborers Local 754 and the Rockland County Building and Construction Trades Council want to thank TDI for the opportunity and are looking forward to instituting a BuildnBeyond Pre-Apprenticeship Program for local residents with the goal of making it a permanent part of our offerings for Rockland County residents.”
Stephanie Melowsky provided this statement on behalf of the North Rockland Chamber of Commerce:
“While our small business community continues to face the devastating impacts caused by the CHPE construction project, we remain committed to supporting opportunities that help our residents and workforce move forward. Many local businesses have struggled to survive amid the disruptions, and the ripple effects across North Rockland have been significant.
That said, we are always eager to share positive opportunities that can benefit our community. We are proud to help spread the word about this excellent free apprenticeship opportunity for North Rockland residents who may be considering a career change or looking to build new skills in a growing field.
Programs like this can open doors to stable, well-paying careers and provide meaningful pathways for individuals and families during challenging times. If you or someone you know in North Rockland is exploring a new professional direction, this is an opportunity worth learning more about.”
For those interested who are residents of Rockland County and 18 years or older please visit: https://www.buildnbeyond.org/ and click on the “BuidnBeyond Rockland County” tab which has a list of Partners and Supporters, an overview or the program, eligibility requirements as well as the curriculum and a QR code to complete the program questionnaire.
Please contact any of the following individuals for more information:
Stephen Reich at sreich@local754.com or (845)425-5073
Deborah Studnitzer at rcwdb1@gmail.com or (845)553-9517 Ext. 102 or
Debra Thomas at djthomasrcwdb@gmail.com or (845)553-9517
Stephanie Melowsky at smelowsky@orangebanktrust.com or (914)368-6033
Alex Guarino at aguarino@townofhaverstraw.org or (845)429-2200
Jake Cataldo at jcataldo@townofstonypoint.org or (845)786-2716 Ext. 111