OPPORTUNITY Since its inception in 2001, The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for Construction Skills (CSKILLS) has grown into a nationally recognized model for addressing training and employment issues in the unionized construction industry. The CSKILLS apprenticeship preparation program opens the door to New York City residents seeking careers in the unionized building and construction trades. CSKILLS provides access to meaningful long‐term careers that pay good wages and benefits. DIVERSITY 8,000 union apprentices go to work every day in New York City. 75% of these apprentices are New York City residents. 65% of these residents are minorities. CSKILLS participants live in all five boroughs of New York City including 33% from Brooklyn, 28% from the Bronx, 23% from Queens, 10% from Manhattan, and 6% from Staten Island. 89% of CSKILLS graduates placed into union apprenticeship programs are African American, Hispanic, Asian or other minority group. RESULTS As of January 2018, CSKILLS has placed 1,926 New York City residents into apprenticeship programs jointly sponsored by union affiliates of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. More than 1,400 of these placements remain actively employed in the unionized construction industry including more than 770 journeypersons. These opportunities help to empower individuals and strengthen communities.