Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) helps unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers establish careers in sectors that offer good wages and opportunities for advancement.

Currently BWI offers free job training programs in four industries: telecommunications cable installation, skilled woodworking, TV and film production, and commercial driving.

Brooklyn Networks is an exciting and challenging telecommunications cable installation program that allows its students to earn an internationally recognized certificate — BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Services International) with hands-on training.

• Brooklyn Networks is a 6 week intensive hands-on-training program that will help you start a career in the field of network cable installation.
• Cable Technicians install the lines that run behind walls and ceilings that are hooked up to computers, telephones, security systems, A/V equipment and broadcast cable.
• Job placement assistance is available so you can put your new skills to work.

To be eligible you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Live in New York City & be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
• 21 years or older
• Have a clean, valid NY State Driver's License (If you do not have one, New York Drives is another free program for you provided by Brooklyn Workforce Innovations)
• Pass a drug test and be physically fit/able to lift 70 lbs
• Able to attend class Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes are held on the New York City College of Technology campus
• Be unemployed, have a low income or receive public assistance

BWI welcomes individuals with past criminal convictions to apply.

Brooklyn Networks graduates are trained in a custom-built lab located at New York City Technical College. Seasoned telecommunications professionals teach the course, providing both technical expertise and a "real–world" atmosphere throughout the training. To receive their certificate, students must pass rigorous written and hands-on examinations.

Brooklyn Networks graduates are certified through the internationally recognized BICSI curriculum. BICSI serves 20,000 member companies, including firms in every U.S. state and 75 countries around the world. A recent survey of 1,000 end-users of cabling systems revealed that 48% of them preferred that their technicians be BICSI certified — the highest score of any certification in the survey.

Companies employing Brooklyn Networks graduates include: Cable Vision, Cables and Chips, Netversant, New York University, Nycom, TekSystems, Time Warner Cable, and Uni-Tel technologies.

You can learn more about Brooklyn Networks by attending an orientation. You will also be given a reading and math test.

Brooklyn Networks Cable Installation Training Program is recruiting for its March class. In order to be eligible for the March class, you must attend the orientation on Tuesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. sharp (No RSVP required).

Orientations are held every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. sharp at Brooklyn Networks for all future classes.

Brooklyn Networks is at 621 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Accessible by the R Train to Union Street. From Union Street Station go 2 blocks down 4th towards the clock tower and make a left on Degraw Street, or the 2, 3, 4, 5, N, B, D, Q Trains to Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center. From Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center station go 8 blocks down 4th and make a right onto Degraw Street.

For more information call 718-237-2017 ext. 149 or ext. 182.

You can learn about line installers and repairers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013.

The following information is important qualities of line installers and repairers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013:

• Color vision. Workers who handle electrical wires and cables must be able to distinguish colors because the wires and cables are often color coded.
• Mechanical skills. Line installers and repairers must have the knowledge and skills to repair or replace complex electrical and telecommunications lines and equipment.
• Physical strength. Line installers and repairers must be strong enough to lift heavy tools, cables, and equipment on a regular basis.
• Stamina. Line installers and repairers often must climb poles and work at great heights with heavy tools and equipment. Therefore, these workers must be able to be physically active for long periods without tiring.
• Teamwork. Because workers often rely on their fellow crew members for the safety, teamwork is critical.
• Technical skills. Line installers use sophisticated diagnostic equipment on circuit breakers, switches, and transformers. They must be familiar with electrical systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.
• Troubleshooting skills. Line installers and repairers must be able to diagnose problems in increasingly complex electrical systems and telecommunication lines workers who drive company vehicles usually need a commercial driver's license.

If you want to learn more about line installers and repairers or other kinds of occupations please visit the Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.