Success Stories

Spanish as a Second Language
WDI supported a Spanish as a Second Language program for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District #9 union supervisors.  Union leadership reported that an increasing number of their union membership is Hispanic, and union leadership needed help in bridging the gaps between employers and employees and the union and employees. Outcome: The training has proved helpful in ensuring workers understand instructions, safety/emergency protocols, as well as their rights/benefits.  A second round of training is planned. 

Clean-Room Technologies
WDI funded a large effort to train plumbers, steamfitters, and sheet metal workers in clean-room protocol and safety construction training. The training addresses both current workers shortages as well as a projected significant increase in demand brought on by the arrival of Saratoga County’s new large employer, Global Foundries chip fab plant. Outcome: Approximately 500 people were trained and 388 were certified, a 91% success rate. Seven different unions benefited from the program.

Project Empire
WDI has partnered with the Amalgamated Transit Union to address the chronic shortage of skilled transit maintenance technicians in these regions, particularly in the use of hybrid (electric/gas) bus maintenance. Outcome: Over 200 employees have been trained in the latest developments impacting hydraulic systems, alternative fuels, computer technology, and electronics.