STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city and owners of Empire Outlets have committed to hire more than 1,200 people to work at New York City's first outlet center through a new workforce training program starting in September, the Advance has learned.

Empire Outlets, which is owned by BFC Partners and Goldman Sachs, is expected to create more than 1,200 permanent jobs when it opens next spring. Following a commitment secured by Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore), at least 60 percent of those jobs will go to local residents.

"I made a commitment that all Staten Islanders would benefit from the 1,200 jobs we are bringing, and we are fulfilling that commitment," said Rose. "This course will train Staten Islanders at all levels and give them priority access to quality jobs in New York City's only outlet mall."

City Councilwoman Debi Rose, the NYC Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, BFC Partners, the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group (Goldman Sachs) and the Staten Island Business Outreach Center will announce the new workforce training program tomorrow at a press conference at 11 a.m. tomorrow at 180 Broad Street, Stapleton.

FREE JOB TRAINING



Courses for the new job training program will begin on Sept. 25 and run every week through November. All courses will be free of charge for local residents and will include training for skills required in the kinds of retail shops and restaurants planned to open at Empire Outlets.

All participants who complete the program will be given a first look at Empire Outlets job openings next year and will receive a certificate from the New York State Small Business Development Center and LaGuardia Community College.

"We are committed to providing good jobs for Staten Island residents as part of our work to create a stronger, more vibrant North Shore," said Don Capoccia, principal of BFC Partners, the developer of Empire Outlets.

"Empire Outlets will be more than an incredible destination -- it will be an economic engine that helps to drive the future of Staten Island. We are grateful to Council Member Rose for her leadership and tireless efforts to workforce development and this incredible community," he added.

As part of her negotiations for Empire Outlets, Rose secured this training program, which will be funded by BFC Partners and administered by The Center for Frontline Retail. The Staten Island Business Outreach Center will manage outreach, recruitment and supervision of daily operations.

"It is crucial for the Staten Island economy that we keep these job opportunities here at home, and the best way to do that is it reach out to the community, and to make sure those in need of employment are trained to do the job," said Daniel Clark, executive director of the Staten Island Business Outreach Center.

"The Staten Island Business Outreach Center will be performing months of grassroots outreach to ensure that Islanders take advantage and are prepared for these opportunities," he added.

OPEN TO STATEN ISLANDERS

The new free training program will be open to all Staten Islanders who are 18 years of age or older and eligible to work in the United States. Participants can choose either a 10:30 am to 2:30 pm session or a 4:30 to 8:30 pm session.

The syllabus includes customer service communication, conflict resolution, leadership skills, retail math and resume and interview skills. Participants will also have access to free OSHA 10-Hour General Industry and CPR/First Aid training to further build out their education.

A 340,000 square foot retail complex, Empire Outlets will include 100 designer outlet stores.

LEASES SIGNED

Empire Outlets is already 70 percent leased. Major retailers already signed on to open at the center include Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Francesca's, Starbucks, U.S. Polo, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, White House Black Market, Columbia Sportswear Company, Guess Factory Store, Wilsons Leather, G.H. Bass & Co., Lids, Obey Your Body, Innovation Luggage, Walgreens, Haagen Dazs, and Krispy Kreme.

Empire Outlets' diverse group of dining options will include Shake Shack, Two Boots Pizza, Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, Nathan's Famous and MRKTPL, which will be12,723-square-foot artisanal food hall with a 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space and more than 30 food concepts.

PROGRAM SIGNUP

For more information or to sign up for the workforce program, visit www.EmpireOutletsJobs.com or call the Staten Island Business Outreach Center at 718-816-4775.

FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK