Jobs, Training & Career · Surprise rank #395
Don't Pay for Nursing Assistant School—These NY Unions Will Train You for Free
Programs via Workforce1, 1199SEIU, and DYCD offer fully funded CNA/HHA training and career ladders, completely bypassing expensive private training schools.
Who
Program-specific applicants; 1199SEIU benefits generally require eligible union employment.
Where: NYC and selected Long Island providers; exact offerings vary.
What to do
Start here: Check Workforce1/SBS and the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds for a currently open course before paying a private school.
Eligibility: Provider admission rules or union-benefit eligibility.
What you get
Approved workforce providers and union education funds offer no-cost entry-level health-care training or career-upgrade tuition support.
Benefit: CNA/HHA training, certification preparation, or tuition assistance for eligible incumbent health-care workers.
Possible value: Hundreds to thousands of dollars in avoided tuition, plus access to higher-wage roles.
Good to know
Important: Not one universal program; some training is unpaid and a job is not guaranteed.
Availability: Cohort-based.
Why people miss it: Commercial schools dominate search results while free employer, workforce and union routes are fragmented.
Sources reviewed: Aug 2, 2026