New York State Parks Trades Corps to Hold First Community Information Session in the Hudson Valley on October 4, 2026
Historic Baker Camp Cabins at Harriman State Park Selected as Pilot Restoration Project
Register for the October 4 Information Session Here
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced that the first public information session for the New York State Parks Trades Corps will take place at 11:00 am on Sunday, October 4, at the ADS Warehouse in Newburgh. Hosted by The Fullerton as a part of the month-long Archtober Newburgh festival, the session will provide residents and community partners with an opportunity to learn more about the new workforce development program for youth and its anticipated launch in spring 2027.
One of Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State initiatives, the recently created Trades Corps will help connect young adults from disadvantaged communities with career opportunities, providing classroom instruction and hands-on work experience for skilled trades such as carpentry and masonry while supporting critical parks improvements and historic preservation efforts.
New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner, Kathy Moser said, “Through the New York State Park Trades Corps, Governor Hochul is creating pathways to solid careers for young people while building the skilled workforce needed to restore historic park facilities and expand opportunities for affordable recreation. This first information session on October 4 will give residents, community organizations, and local leaders the chance to learn more about how this new program will connect young people with opportunities while strengthening communities across the Hudson Valley.”
Palisades Interstate Park Commission Executive Director Joshua Laird said, “The Palisades Commission is thrilled that Baker Camp in Harriman State Park will serve as a living classroom for Governor Hochul's Trades Corps initiative. Baker Camp is one of the park's historic group camps but has been closed for over a decade. Originally constructed by PIPC in 1927 with funding from banker and philanthropist George F. Baker, the Trades Corps initiative will help restore this historic camp and train a new generation of skilled tradespeople. We are grateful to the Governor and our partners at New York State Parks for their investment in this important program.”
The New York State Park Trades Corps is designed to expand access to careers in the skilled trades by addressing barriers that can make it difficult for individuals to enter and succeed in these fields. Participants will receive transportation to and from the job sites, as well as additional support services provided through partnerships with State agencies and local community organizations.
During the eight-month program, Trades Corps participants will receive classroom instruction and hands-on experience while earning certifications that will help prepare them enter the workforce and meet the growing demand for skilled construction labor. Training will be coordinated with the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training.
The pilot Trade Corps program is expected to launch in the spring of 2027 and will engage residents from Newburgh and surrounding communities. Participants will begin their work at Baker Camp in Harriman State Park, restoring historic cabins and making improvements to camp facilities.
The project will provide participants with real-world experience while helping OPRHP address critical maintenance needs at one of New York’s largest state parks. Once restored, Baker Camp will also provide an additional affordable outdoor recreation opportunity for families and youth groups from the lower Hudson Valley, advancing Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative.
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “When you train for a career in the trades, you are immediately entering one of the best pathways to long-term success that will prepare you to become an essential part of New York’s economy. Establishing apprenticeship programs like the NYS Park Trades Corps is an incredible way to open these doors, and I’m proud to help champion it. I thank the Governor, NYS Parks, and CSEA for their work to launch this pilot, and I’m thrilled that the Hudson Valley will serve as its testing ground. I encourage everyone curious about this opportunity to attend the October 4th info session to learn more and hopefully spark interest in the pilot as well as the exciting career paths that await our next generation.”
State Senator James Skoufis said, “The demand for skilled labor is growing, and I'm thrilled young New Yorkers will have the opportunity to learn those skills through the Trades Corps right here in the Hudson Valley. New York has a responsibility to provide and expand opportunities to its young people, and I'm excited to see everything this program has to offer.”
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said, “The Trade Corps will bring meaningful opportunity to Hudson Valley youth, providing young people with training in high-demand skills and a sense of professional purpose, while also improving infrastructure for one of our region’s greatest assets — our State parks. I'm thrilled that Newburgh is included in the launch.”
New York State Office of Employee Relations Director Michael Volforte said, “Governor Hochul is laser-focused on affordability and bolstering opportunities for our young people. This workforce training being coordinated by the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education & Training aligns perfectly with that mission. We are proud to partner with State Parks and CSEA to reduce barriers to training for the next generation of tradespeople so they can put their talents to work in solid, good-paying jobs, which in turn supports a thriving Empire State economy.”
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said, “As public employers continue their efforts to recruit and retain workers, the Trade Corps Program is a true win-win opportunity for the state and the young workforce. CSEA is proud to partner with Governor Hochul and her administration on providing opportunities for young workers to get training on skilled trades. Not only will they gain high-demand skills that will help them sustain a living, but their work will help expand access to our state parks, which provide affordable outdoor recreation for New Yorkers.”
During the event, the Preservation League of NYS will highlight findings from its recently released report “Working to Preserve New York State: Economic Impacts and Workforce Training in the Preservation Trades,” which underscores the need for preservation trades training programs.
Preservation League of NYS President Jay DiLorenzo said, “The highly skilled tradespeople who repair and maintain New York's historic buildings and structures are essential to the League's work and to the preservation movement at large. Thanks to the generous support of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation and the research of our Cornell partners, we have been able to quantify the economic impact of the preservation trades on New York's local, regional, and statewide economies. We look forward to using this data to continue to build and strengthen the preservation trades workforce in NYS.”
In addition to creating entry-level job opportunities, the Trades Corps will create permanent employment for experienced tradespersons. In October, OPRHP will begin recruitment efforts for new Maintenance Supervisor 1 positions to oversee the day-to-day work of participants and guide them as they develop their skills throughout the program.
To learn more about New York State Parks Trades Corps employment opportunities and the dates of future information sessions, sign-up and receive email newsletter alerts.
About the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more; and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518-474-0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
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