It is a fight to level the playing field to be able to compete for jobs and careers on the basis of skills and make available apprentice training to all. In 1973 Al Percy launched a class action lawsuit to give workers like him a chance to better their lot in life. It would also ensure the availability of skilled workers to build the infrastructure of the future.
compensation carrier subsidizes the apprenticeship programs by recognizing the savings in reduction of losses which reduces the exposures and liabilities of the claims required to be paid by the workers' compensation insurance carrier. The PercyProgram was developed with the assistance of predecessors of Defendant State DFS officers: former Chief Deputy Frank Donohue, and former General Counsel Morty Greenspan, who worked tirelessly to shepherd the development of the PercyProgram. Oriska's singular mix of tools provides training and working environments that exists nowhere else. Such rich benefits under the PercyProgram results in retention of well trained, competent and safety conscious workers for employers who participate in the PercyProgram. It happens that 90% of the persons accessing the PercyProgram have been minority or disadvantaged by natural selection, meaning that the disadvantaged have a difficult time being accepted into organized labor OJT apprenticeship programs. The PercyProgram can work with unions utilizing union journeypersons for OJT apprenticeship of Percy apprentices, providing jobs to union members and apprentices, benefiting all. The PercyProgram begun in 1984, and for 25 years has provided apprenticeship to hundreds in the skilled trades. The PercyProgram moved from upstate New York to the Bronx in 1999 to accomplish the same substantial and permanent good that was accomplished upstate. In 1998, the PercyProgram, through Oriska Corporation, began the Apprenticeship Programs in the New York City area at SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx. The Percy Apprentice Training Program is an integral part of safety training and loss control for Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage and Employee Benefit insurance coverages designed specifically to comply with prevailing wage and supplement benefit requirements for the construction industry. The related classroom instruction part of apprenticeship training was designed to comply with requirements of the New York State Departments of Labor and Education. Since 1999, the PercyProgram, in partnership with State University of New York Maritime College (“SUNY Maritime”), has trained skilled trade persons through the OJT Apprentice Program. The PercyProgram works under the delegation of authority by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship Training to the NYS Departments of Education and Labor. The PercyProgram works under the guidance, authorization and regulation of the New York State Departments of Education and Labor. Workers’ safety is affected positively utilizing the PercyProgram, resulting in greater control of risk, reducing loss for employers and injuries and illnesses to employees, through instruction in safe and healthful practices. The length of apprenticeship varies from two to five years, depending on the occupation. The Program works especially well in public works construction where the federal Davis-Bacon law and the NYS 54 | Page
Labor Law Article 8 keep wages in the skilled trades high. The apprentice is paid a percentage of the journeyperson rate while in apprenticeship as part of the workforce working under the guidance of more experienced workers called journeypersons. Successful completion of all requirements results in award of a NYS Department of Labor Certificate recognized by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship Training verifying journeyperson competency. Percy Jobs to Careers Corporation Not-For-Profit Corporation Percy Jobs to Careers Corporation was first incorporated February 12, 2013 as a corporation defined in subparagraph (a)(5) of Section 102 of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. Percy Jobs to Careers Corporation is organized to deliver opportunities for disadvantaged individuals by providing access to secure jobs and careers through an apprenticeship education in the skilled construction trades. While learning for the job, these individuals are provided with employment in a trade at prevailing construction trade wages. This unique pay-while-apprenticing feature is facilitated by the Corporation through businesses that it selects, monitors, and mentors. Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) Status Percy Jobs to Careers Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated in New York State has been issued a determination letter from the IRS, recognizing its tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Allowing donors to deduct contributions they make to Percy Jobs and Careers Corporation as provided in IRC Section 170. Percy Jobs and Careers Corporation is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts under IRC Sections 2055, 2106, and 2522. New York State Charitable Organization Percy Jobs to Careers Corporation is registered as a Charitable Organizations with the New York State Department of Law (Office of the Attorney General) Charities Bureau - Registration Section. Support Entities Waterbury Workforce Ltd., Inc. Waterbury Workforce Solution, Inc., Inc. is a Professional Employer Organization licensed under Article 31 of the New York State Labor Law September 25, 2003. The corporation is organized to deliver employee benefits as both a staffing company and a service provider for human resource services. 55 | Page
