Vocational Training Programs for New Careers

All vocational trainings offered through Commonpoint Adult Workforce are scholarship-based. All interested applicants must apply to each training. Acceptances will be contingent upon documentation submission, eligibility, interviews, and other criteria.

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Certified Nurses’ Aide (Queens)
Certified Nurses’ Aides (or CNAs) are employed in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. They assist medical staff in bathing clients, feeding patients, assisting with personal care and hygiene, and other hands-on needs. All graduates receive a CNA state license through National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Commonpoint partners with various allied health centers to offer an in-person CNA job placement program. All interested applicants must join an information session, be interviewed by the scholarship team, and take an assessment exam. Other requirements and eligibility rules apply.

Interested applicants must be ready to work immediately after completing the training as state-certified CNAs.

What are the requirements?
Applicants must possess (1) a valid state ID, (2) a social security card or work authorization, (3) a high school, GED, or HSE diploma, (4) Covid-19 vaccination card.

What’s the next step?
In order to apply for the CNA program in Queens, you must attend an in-person information session at the Commonpoint Silver Hub in Elmhurst, NY. 

To register for the in-person information session, please click here.

Certified Nurses’ Aide (Bronx)

Are you between the ages of 18-40 and interested in FREE healthcare training and licensing? Join us for our NEW training and certification including with DYCD Connect in the Bronx! Get paid while completing your training and internship!

Eligibility

1. Adults between the ages of 18 and 40 years old
2. Residents of one of the five boroughs of New York City
3. HS Diploma or GED required
4. Eligible to work in the US

The full program includes tuition-free classes from an accredited school, certification, paid work experience/internship, job placement assistance, and case management & referrals. Get paid $20 an hour during orientation, training, and internship!

To apply for our program in the Bronx, click here.

For more information, email cbxvocationaltraining@commonpoint.org, text 201-338-0460 or call 718-619-8838 Extension 101.

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Patient Care Technician (Queens)

Patient Care Technicians (or PCTs) are employed in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other medical centers. They assist medical staff in bathing clients, feeding patients, assisting with personal care and hygiene, and other hands-on needs. Additionally, they are trained in Ekg /PHL and can also remove stitches, insert catheters, clean wounds, perform injections, etc. All graduates receive a CNA state license, as well as a National Patient Care Technician license through National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

** In order to apply for the PCT training, applicants must meet the following requirements: (1) possess an active CNA license, and (2) be gainfully employed as a CNA at a nursing home, hospital, or rehabilitation center.

Interested applicants must be ready to work immediately after completing the training as state-certified CNAs and / or nationally recognized PCTs.

What are the requirements?
Applicants must possess (1) a valid state ID, (2) a social security card or work authorization, (3) a high school, GED, or HSE diploma, (4) Covid-19 vaccination card.

What’s the next step?
In order to apply for the PCT Training, you must attend an in-person information session at Commonpoint in Elmhurst, NY. 

To register for the in-person information session, please click here. 

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Home Health Aide (Queens)

Home Health Aides (HHA) work directly in a person’s home and often assist with light cleaning, bathing, monitoring a patient’s vitals, and other household needs. Additionally, some nursing homes hire home health aides to assist the healthcare team with various functions and duties. Graduates of the training will receive a state license through New York Department of Health.

Commonpoint’s HHA training is only available to current and active adult workforce clients. Attending an orientation, meeting regularly with an employment coordinator, and participating in various professional development workshops are required to be selected. 

To become an active member of Commonpoint’s adult workforce, please click here to register and attend an in-person orientation. 

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Construction training (Queens)

Commonpoint partners with Building Skills NY to bring a construction training and job placement program to our clients. Graduates can expect to receive a two-week training to receive OSHA-30, SST-10, flagger, silica, scaffolding, and fire guard certifications to land critical jobs on many construction sites within the five boroughs.

Additionally, clients will complete a four-week training through NCCER, where graduates can expect to complete various learning modules in power tool safety, handling materials and equipment, and professional communication.

All interested applicants must join an information session, be interviewed by the scholarship team, and take an assessment exam. Other requirements and eligibility rules apply.

Interested applicants must be ready to work immediately after completing the training.

What are the requirements?
Applicants must possess (1) a valid state ID, (2) a social security card or work authorization, (3) proficiency in academic English.

What’s the next step?
The next step is to complete a Google Interest form by clicking here. A representative from Commonpoint will reach out to you once recruitment begins and invite you to a virtual information session on Zoom.

Construction Training (Bronx)

Are you between the ages of 18-40 and interested in FREE OSHA Construction training and licensing? Join us for our NEW OSHA construction training and certification with DYCD Connect in the Bronx! Get paid while completing your training and internship!

Eligibility

1. Adults between the ages of 18 and 40 years old
2. Residents of one of the five boroughs of New York City
3. No HS Diploma or GED required

Get certified in 6-8 weeks! The full program includes classes, certification, paid work experience/internship, professional development, and work readiness training (up to 24 weeks). Must attend all sessions Mondays – Fridays beginning March 10 from 9-5:30pm. Certifications include:

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Course
• Site Safety Training (SST) 
• FDNY Certificate of Fitness for Fire Guard for Torch Operations.
• 4-Hour Supported Scaffold User Safety Training.
• Four Hour Work Flagger Training. 
• OSHA Silica

To apply for our program in the Bronx, click here.

For more information, email cbxvocationaltraining@commonpoint.org, text 201-338-0460 or call 718-619-8838 Extension 101.

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Security Guard Training (Queens)

Commonpoint partners with Arrow Security for immediate training and job placement within the five boroughs. Graduates can expect to enroll in a four-day training to receive 8 and 16-hour licenses, as well as a fire guard (F-02) certification. Once completed, clients will be placed in an open position with Arrow Security. Interested applicants must be ready to work immediately after completing the training

Commonpoint’s security guard training is only available to current and active adult workforce clients. Attending an orientation, meeting regularly with an employment coordinator, and participating in various professional development workshops are required to be selective for security guard training. 

To become an active member of Commonpoint’s adult workforce, please click here to register and attend an in-person orientation. 

What are the requirements?
Applicants must possess (1) a valid New York State ID, (2) a social security card or work authorization, (3) Covid-19 vaccination card.

All interested applicants must join an information session, be interviewed by the scholarship team, and take an assessment exam. Other requirements and eligibility rules apply.

** Commonpoint does not offer licensing renewal.

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Community Health Worker (Queens)

Community Health Workers (CHWs)  perform critical needs for our community by working as a bridge between the city’s healthcare system and various groups and neighborhoods within the five boroughs. They perform outreach to the community, share health resources, and work with vulnerable populations to bring much needed information.

This particular training program is designed for non-native English speakers. All interested applicants must join an information session, be interviewed by the scholarship team, and take an assessment exam. Other requirements and eligibility rules apply.

Commonpoint partners with CUNY LaGuardia Community College to bring a 16-week onsite and virtual training followed by a 125-hour internship.

Interested applicants must be ready to work as CHWs immediately after completing the training.

What are the requirements?
Applicants must possess (1) a valid state ID, (2) a social security card or work authorization, (3) a high school, GED, or HSE diploma.

What’s the next step?
The next step is to complete a Google Interest form by clicking here. A representative from Commonpoint will reach out to you once recruitment begins and invite you to a virtual information session on Zoom.

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Culinary Arts Training (Queens)

Commonpoint offers a 12-week culinary arts training for individuals interested in pursuing careers in kitchens across the city. Jobs include line cooks, assistant sous chef, and future culinary directors.

The 12-week training is onsite at Commonpoint’s kitchen and students can expect to learn techniques to work successfully in a professional kitchen. Curriculum includes grilling, frying, scaling up recipes, knife work, and other approaches to preparing food for large groups and orders.

Culinary students can also expect to work alongside a professional team of chefs to fill orders, prepare meals for outside delivery, and assist in catering for VIP and internal Commonpoint events.

What are the requirements?
Applicants must possess (1) a valid state ID, (2) a social security card or work authorization, (3) Covid-19 vaccination card.

What’s the next step?
The next step is to complete a Google Interest form by clicking here. A representative from Commonpoint will reach out to you once recruitment begins and invite you to an in-person information session.

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Per Scholas / IT Training (Queens)

Commonpoint has partnered with Per Scholas to offer Information Technology (IT) Training and Job Placement programs at the Commonpoint Silver Hub in Queens. We offer 12 and 15 week FREE programs that prepare adults facing barriers to employment for secure and stable careers. These programs are held Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm.

All interested applicants must join an information session, be interviewed by the scholarship team, and take an assessment exam. Other requirements and eligibility rules apply.

Interested applicants must be ready to work immediately after completing the training. 
Next Cohort Begins May 19th, 2025

What’s the next step?
A representative from Commonpoint will reach out to you once recruitment begins and invite you to a virtual information session on Zoom.

We are offering a NEW IT Bridge course beginning that is required before enrolling in Per Scholas Training programs – learn more and register here! Next Cohort Begins May 5th!

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NEW! Direct Support Professional (DSP) (Queens)

Commonpoint’s new DSP Workforce Pathway Program is especially created to support individuals in the neurodivergent and I/DD community with becoming successful DSPs.

This program, in partnership with SUNY Farmingdale State College, offers a clear path to a rewarding career as a DSP through education, hands-on training and job placement support.

This program includes college-level courses, paid training and internships, leading to DSP Level I, CPR and First Aid certifications. Eligible participants receive job readiness support and a $750 graduation incentive. Courses are held in person at the Commonpoint Hub in Jamaica, Queens, preparing graduates for long-term success in the field.

What are the requirements?

Applicants must (1) identify as neurodivergent or have a disability, (2) be New York State residents over the age of 18 who can legally work in the US, (3) have a High School diploma or GED and (4) be fluent in English.

What’s the next step?
The next step is to complete a contact form by clicking here. A representative from Commonpoint will reach out to you and confirm a virtual or in-person information session

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