Senator Murphy Hammers Home the Importance of Apprenticeships for Students

Suffern, NY - Over 700 future electricians, welders, plumbers, and other students interested in the building and construction industry gathered at Rockland Community College on April 13 for the Nineteenth Annual Hudson Valley Construction Career Day.
 
As s former construction worker, Senator Terrence Murphy enjoyed revisiting the early part of his career. A hands-on administrator, Senator Murphy has never shied away from honest labor. He eagerly accepted an invitation to lay brickwork, operated a jackhammer like a seasoned construction worker, and quickly absorbed instructions on how to operate a massive crane.
 
Senator Murphy said, "Teachers and guidance counselors often forget to recommend construction jobs to their students. Construction jobs offer steady employment, good salaries, an annuity and good healthcare. These bright, enthusiastic young men and women have great careers ahead of them. A tip of the hat to all the sponsors for lending a hand to help train the next generation of skilled laborers."

Trainers and skilled trades people from the various building and construction trades performed demonstrations using the tools and materials associated with their trade. Students in grades 10-12 participated in interactive demonstrations and received information about training programs, apprenticeships, career paths, salaries and benefits.
 
The career day was sponsored by the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York AFL-CIO; the Hudson Valley Building and Trades Council, the Building Trades Council of Rockland, the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley, Inc., the Construction Advancement Institute of Westchester/Mid-Hudson, Inc., the Construction Contractors Association of Hudson Valley and the Building Contractors Association of Westchester and Mid-Hudson, Inc.

 
Among the many other elected officials on hand to celebrate Construction Career Day with Senator Murphy were, among others: Senator David Carlucci, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, Vincent Kopicki, Environmental Facilities Commissioner, representing Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Toney Earl, Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature, and Assemblyman David Buchwald.