Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: NYCHA’s Updated HPT Training & Mentorship Program
NYCHA’s latest updates to its Heating Plant Technician (HPT) training program underscore the Authority’s commitment to workforce development, equipping workers with skills to manage heating systems across its housing portfolio. In January 2024, the Heating Management Services Department (HMSD) introduced a new, direct hire-to-training protocol, ensuring all new HPT appointees receive mentorship and specialized training.
A Dual-Pathway Approach
Developed collaboratively by NYCHA’s Learning and Development Department and HMSD, the program offers two pathways:
- One for “mentees”: Current NYCHA employees, such as caretakers, who bring foundational knowledge of heating systems to their training; and
- The other for “trainees”: NYCHA public housing or Section 8 residents who meet certain qualifications – including that they are 18 or older and have a high school diploma – can enroll in the HPT Trainee Program. They receive both academic instruction and practical, on-the-job experience through NYCHA mentorship.
The Heart of the Program: Mentorship
Mentorship is central to the new, updated HPT training protocol. Both mentees and trainees are paired with seasoned Heating Plant Technicians, skilled Maintenance Workers, and in some cases HPT supervisors, from whom they “learn the ropes” of professional HPT practice directly.
Upon successful completion of their NYCHA mentorship, all program participants receive additional hands-on training at the HMSD Training Center in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Participants shadow mentors in boiler plants and residential apartments, gradually taking on greater responsibility. Mentors provide guidance and support to mentees/trainees as they complete their assignments, share expertise and resources, and offer constructive feedback. They also participate in bi-weekly update meetings with their charges to provide feedback, and they work with program supervisors to evaluate the progress of each mentee/trainee at the end of the mentorship program.
“This program is awesome,” said David Baker, who completed the training and has been working as a NYCHA Heating Plant Technician for over a year. “It teaches you how to operate and maintain NYCHA’s boilers. As a kid, sometimes I didn’t have heat, and I wondered why. Now, it gives me great joy to help someone restore their hot water or heat—especially in winter, when heat is essential.”
The most recent class of Heating Plant Technicians graduated from the updated program on November 25th.
Blending Academic and Practical Training
Both mentees and trainees benefit from a combination of academic instruction and hands-on learning. Trainees earn professional certificates through the Business and Industry Workforce Training Center at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), while mentees receive credentials directly from NYCHA and the Teamsters Local 237 union.
Career Development and Community Impact
“The program really gives people the opportunity to grow and create a career within the community that matters so much to them,” Mr. Baker said. “This program helped me build skills that will last a lifetime. And you know your community better than anyone — so who better to serve it?”
Upon graduation, participants transition into full-time HPT roles, in-demand civil service positions which provide opportunities for advancement. The work the programs’ graduates do has a direct impact on NYCHA’s operations and on its residents, ensuring that they have reliable access to heat and hot water.
O’Shea Burke, another program graduate, appreciated the difference mentorship made in preparing him for his new role: “It was a big plus to be with people who wanted to see me grow. I learned to identify problems and focus on fixing issues. You want to satisfy the tenant and the development.”
Public-Private Funded Opportunity
The updated HPT Trainee Program is supported by public and private funding: NYCHA funding for trainee salaries comes via the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; City Tech instruction is underwritten by grants from Con Edison and from the Public Housing Community Fund. This complex partnership makes possible a win-win situation for all involved: entry-level opportunities are created for NYCHA residents, career advancement opportunities are created for current NYCHA employees, and NYCHA’s operational needs are addressed by training more qualified professionals.
Looking Ahead
The newest cohort of mentees and trainees gathered for their orientation on January 21, 2025, marking another milestone for the program. The next cohort after this one will begin its course of study and training in summer 2025.
NYCHA employees who are interested in becoming HPTs should consult the Teamsters Local 237 Training and Education Fund for information and to enroll in the coming trainings. NYCHA residents can subscribe to the OpportunityNYCHA e-newsletter here to be informed of the latest recruitment notices and updates.
With its focus on professional growth, operational excellence, and community impact, the HPT direct-to-hire training program exemplifies NYCHA’s mission to empower a new generation of skilled workers. “We can look at a book all day, but you need to know how to minimize waste and maximize results,” said Mr. Burke. “That’s what the mentorship program did for me!”