The challenges of a third of Binghampton households without wage or salary income, a lack of education and an area median income of about $20,000 presents a great need for employment training.  In 2006 a local foundation committed to fund a construction job training program that would enhance the employment prospects of Binghampton residents through an experiential construction training program focused on improving the BDC-purchased housing stock.

The program is designed to offer vocational, life and spiritual skills, and particularly supporting those who were not successfully educated or those who have criminal records.  The program requires a dedicated effort to complete the practical and classroom requirements, as well as to adhere to the work ethic and drug-free standards.  By the end of fiscal 2007 in June, the BDC admitted 11 candidates into the program and graduated three into living wage commercial construction positions with Wagoner Construction.   The three successful graduates represent two men with violent felony convictions and one individual who joined the program from homelessness.