Brownsville Man Named Worker of the Month by Construction Nonprofit

Brownsville father Anthony Whyte has been named worker of the month by construction nonprofit Building Skills New York.

Whyte, who only got into construction this year, is a supervisor at the Powerhouse Arts redevelopment in Gowanus, where he ensures proper fire safety measures are followed.

Prior to construction, Whyte worked on cell phone towers. However, that work was seasonal, being limited to warm weather months.

With a 5-year-old daughter to care for, he wanted a more dependable income and decided to get into construction.

Through his search he discovered Building Skills New York(BSNY), a nonprofit organization that links underserved New Yorkers with good paying jobs in the construction industry. It does this through free job training and job placement services and by providing ongoing support to workers as they broaden their skills.

In February, Whyte got his Occupational Safety and Health Administration card and, through BSNY, found a new job doing general labor in just a few days. Although his initial work site was closed down due to the pandemic, Whyte was recommended by his employer to work on site at the Powerhouse Arts redevelopment.

Whyte said his next career goal was to become a welder and he would begin classes as soon as they were up and running. He said the construction industry had given him a true sense of job security, something he hadn't felt before.

"Now, my employment is steady, and I'm gaining the certifications and experience I need to advance my career in construction even further."

Assembly Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel congratulated Whyte and said he encapsulated the resilency of families in the 41^st council district, which includes Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights and East Flatbush.

"Job security and advancements are building blocks to stability and further success," she said.

"I appreciate Building Skills' work with our local families and I am honored to be able to share in this moment."