Molloy announced a new workforce development partnership with YouthBuild Long Island designed to connect young adults across Long Island with short-term certificate programs and the credentials needed to launch careers in healthcare and other in-demand local industries.
The program, open to residents of Nassau and Suffolk County between the ages of 18 and 24, provides access to nationally recognized certificate training through Molloy University's continuing education division, supported by a $200 tuition grant discount for eligible participants. Up to 40 students will be enrolled annually through the partnership.
The initiative responds directly to a documented and growing workforce gap across Long Island's healthcare sector. Healthcare facilities across the region are operating with staffing levels nearly 20 percent below pre-pandemic levels, and healthcare support roles, including phlebotomy technicians, clinical nurse aides, and sterile processing technicians, are projected to grow significantly over the next decade. Additional certificates for skilled trades, such as welding technician, will also be available for students.
YouthBuild Long Island is a pre-apprenticeship program for young adults (ages 18–24) to earn their High School Equivalency Diplomas and gain hands-on construction and trade skills. Administered by the United Way of Long Island, the program prepares youth for sustainable careers. By combining Molloy University's academic infrastructure, YouthBuild Long Island's established community reach among young adults, the partnership aims to create a clear, supported pipeline from enrollment to employment.
"This partnership gives young adults on Long Island a direct, funded path into careers that are hiring right now,” said Amy Gaimaro, D.B.A., Dean of Innovative Delivery Methods at Molloy University. “This partnership reflects the university's commitment to making education work for students who are ready to enter the workforce now. We designed this so that cost and time are not the barriers they usually are.”
"The young adults we serve are motivated, resilient, and eager to succeed, but too often financial barriers and limited access to training stand in the way," said Jenette Adams, Program Director of YouthBuild Long Island. "This partnership opens doors to valuable credentials, hands-on career opportunities, and a future in growing industries like healthcare. We're excited to help our participants take the next step toward careers and greater economic independence."
Students who complete a certificate program will earn a nationally recognized credential aligned to employer requirements across hospitals, outpatient centers, long-term care facilities, and clinical settings throughout Long Island and the greater New York metro area. Certificate programs range from two to six months in length, making them accessible to young adults who may not be on a traditional four-year college track but are ready to enter the workforce with purpose and credentials.
Young adults interested in the program can learn more at www.molloy.edu/youthbuild