New Program Trains NYCHA Residents to Become HPTs

A new cohort of 27 NYCHA caretakers are the first with the “Caretaker H” designation, meaning that in addition to maintaining the grounds at NYCHA developments, they are students in a new, yearlong training program that prepares them to take care of the Authority’s heating systems as Heating Plant Technicians (HPT).

The Caretaker H program is part of the Authority’s efforts to provide more job and training opportunities to NYCHA residents. It prepares them to learn the work of operating, maintaining, and making minor repairs to boilers, as well as to pass the HPT civil service exam. The program is a collaboration between NYCHA’s Human Resources and Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) office and training partners.

“We are excited about this program, because it provides an opportunity for advancement for our residents and employees in addition to meeting a critical staffing need,” said Nicole Van Gendt, NYCHA’s Director for Human Resources.

Darschand Raiford is a Caretaker H at Beach 41st Consolidation, and a lifelong resident of Redfern Houses. She saw flyers about the Caretaker H program and applied.

“I wanted to come out of my comfort zone,” said Ms. Raiford. “I used to be a window clerk at the post office selling stamps. But I wanted to be able to work with my hands.”

The first step for Ms. Raiford and her cohorts was the four-week NYCHA Resident Training Academy (NRTA) janitorial track, which trains residents to maintain the grounds, buildings, and public spaces of NYCHA developments. The NRTA is managed by REES.

“REES is thrilled to work with our training partners and NYCHA colleagues to develop a new training track for NYCHA residents that reaffirms REES’ commitment to connecting residents to viable economic opportunities,” said Shanna Castillo, Director of REES.

After successful completion of the NRTA, the residents were hired by NYCHA as Caretaker Hs: They work four days a week and have a full day of in-class training one day a week at CUNY’s New York City College of Technology.

Classes began in October 2019, and students are learning about different types of boilers, boiler water treatment, basic electricity and plumbing, fuel oil, hot water generators, and other topics. By the end of the program, the cohort will have completed 50 8-hour training classes, including a few hands-on training classes at NYCHA’s Sheepshead Training Center.

Ms. Raiford said the classes are challenging and that she is learning skills which will help her achieve her goals of “becoming a superintendent of a NYCHA development or a trainer of future caretakers.”

After successful completion of the program, participants will work as temporary HPTs until they take and pass the HPT civil service exam. Any Caretaker H who does not pass the HPT civil service exam will remain a caretaker.

Whitney Parker, a Caretaker H at Glenwood Houses, sees this program as a stepping stone for a long-lasting career. Before joining the program, she held many jobs, including as a pharmacy technician and hair stylist. “This is a great opportunity, but I don’t plan to stop at HPT,” she said. “I want to gain all the knowledge I can through this program, become an HPT, and work my way up in Housing so that I can become a manager, a superintendent.”

To learn about upcoming NYCHA Resident Training Academy opportunities, call REES at 718-289-8100 or visit www.OpportunityNYCHA.org.