Photo credit – Office of Congressman LaLota
Long Island took center stage in the national conversation on workforce development last week as Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) proudly welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) to Suffolk County for a comprehensive tour showcasing the region’s innovative training programs and robust labor partnerships.
The visit began at the Local 290 Training Center in Hauppauge, where Secretary Chavez-DeRemer was joined by Reps. Garbarino and LaLota, received an up-close look at apprenticeship programs run by the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC). The delegation toured hands-on training labs focused on welding, framing, and acoustical ceiling installation, and later sat in on classroom instruction sessions in the center’s lecture hall, engaging directly with apprentices and instructors.
“Long Island has long been a leader in workforce innovation, and today’s visit showcased the strong partnerships between labor, education, and government that are building pathways to good-paying jobs for local workers,” said Garbarino. “From apprentices learning the trades at Local 290 to advanced technical training programs at Suffolk County Community College, these initiatives are not only equipping our workforce with the skills they need — they’re also strengthening Long Island’s economic future.
I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for making the trip and recognizing the importance of continued investment in our skilled workforce.”
Following the stop in Hauppauge, the group traveled to Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood campus to visit the National Offshore Wind Training Center (NOWTC), a state-of-the-art facility designed to prepare workers for jobs in the growing offshore wind energy sector. The tour included demonstrations of safety training in sea survival, working at heights, and fire response which is critical skills for workers supporting the future of renewable energy along the Atlantic Coast.
“Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s visit to Suffolk County and her engagement with Long Island’s blue-collar labor leaders highlight the new Republican Party’s commitment to supporting both business growth and hardworking Americans through fair wages, safe working conditions, and expanded opportunities,” said LaLota. “To keep our region competitive, we must continue investing in workforce development and modern infrastructure. In Congress, I’ll keep fighting for commonsense solutions that strengthen job training, connect workers to good-paying careers, and grow Long Island’s economy from the ground up.”
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer applauded the local efforts and pledged continued support from the U.S. Department of Labor.
“Long Island’s skilled workforce is thriving under President Trump’s leadership, with thousands of new jobs created since he took office. I saw that firsthand today – from top-notch training programs to the small businesses driving local growth. When we invest in skills and opportunity, we empower our men and women to build better lives. I look forward to continuing to work with Congressmen Garbarino and LaLota to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and deliver for American workers,” said Chavez-DeRemer.
At the Local 290 Training Center, Anthony Villa, Business Manager of Local 290, welcomed the attention from Washington and praised the collaboration.
“The Carpenters were honored to host the Secretary and our local members of Congress, and we look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of our members and all blue-collar workers across Long Island and throughout New York State. The construction industry is critical to New York’s economy, and our world-class training center ensures that the next generation of carpenters have the skills they need to be successful,” Villa.
The workforce development tour was also attended by leaders from local labor unions, education institutions, county workforce development offices, and economic development organizations. The day’s events underscored a shared commitment to ensuring that Long Island remains at the forefront of emerging industries like offshore wind and maintains a well-trained, highly skilled workforce to meet the demands of the future.
As Long Island continues to evolve with national trends in construction, energy, and advanced manufacturing, today’s visit made one thing clear: the region is not only ready for the future, but also helping lead the way.
