$3 Million Awarded to BMCC and SUNY MEOC for Health Career Training

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), and The State University of New York (SUNY) Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) received a $3 million U.S. Department of Labor, Community-Based Job Training Grant (CBJTG) to prepare individuals for employment in four high-growth health care jobs.

These occupations—Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant Specialist, Electronic Health Records Specialist, and Health Information Technology—have among the greatest projected growth through 2016, according to the New York State Department of Labor.

The 3-year training project will serve and place in jobs over 650 individuals 18 years of age and older who are either unemployed, dislocated or incumbent workers or veterans (and their spouses)– groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the current recession.

Building today’s complex workforce

Founded in 1966 and administered by BMCC, the SUNY/MEOC is located in Harlem, and has served thousands of low-income New Yorkers from all five boroughs.

The new grant will enhance BMCC’s and SUNY/MEOC’s ability to provide training relevant to today’s complex workforce. “Through this generous federal grant, the MEOC will offer training in health care employment areas that are not just surviving, but thriving in our current economy,” said BMCC President Antonio Pérez.

“Individuals who complete the training will acquire competitive skills to build better lives, economically,” Pérez added, “and pursue meaningful careers that improve the quality of care that people receive in hospitals, clinics and other medical settings.”  

MEOC: Over 40 years of service

The new health care training programs will be added to an already impressive spectrum of free academic and workforce development offerings at MEOC including GED, College Prep and English as a Second Language classes; a Development Assistant Program (preparing people to work in nonprofit development offices), as well as PC Repair and Security Officer training programs.

In addition, students at MEOC take advantage of academic advisement and job development services, a state-of-the-art computer lab featuring self-paced academic and vocational software, and specially trained tutors.

“For over forty years, SUNY/MEOC has helped thousands of individuals develop their academic, English-language and workforce skills,” said William Chalmers, SUNY Assistant Provost and Director, University Center for Academic and Workforce Development.

“MEOC’s comprehensive programs–which also offer counseling and workplace support–respond to students’ goals to seek post-secondary education, and avail themselves of the latest trends in employment,” Chalmers said. “New York City’s health care system, the fastest growing sector of the City’s economy, reflects job opportunities our students will be well prepared to access, having completed training provided by this $3 million U.S. Department of Labor, Community-Based Job Training Grant.”