TRADE UP TO A BETTER JOB!
Carpentry • Plumbing • HVAC • Painting • Electric
In partnership with the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI) and the PA CareerLink® Philadelphia System, and with funding support from the William Penn Foundation, we are helping create pathways to union jobs in the construction industry.
This new program will launch January 2022 and will begin with a two-week boot camp and orientation into the trades. After boot camp, participants will move on to a trades intro training program, apply for pre-apprenticeship and/or work programs through training vendors, or apply for jobs available through companies offering employment in the trades. We are committed to finding the best job placements for all participants and all job placements will be at the highest wages possible.
What sets our training program apart is our thorough assessment process, continuous support for participants, our partnerships, and the multiple pathways leading to employment for participants.
Together we are working to make pathways to union jobs more accessible for individuals with a criminal background, people of color, women interested in a non-traditional occupation, and young adults.
Want to hear a student's perspective? Learn more about Kendra Battle-Garcia's FTI experience.
Want to learn more? Click here to complete a brief contact form and we’ll invite you to an information session.
How it works
Boot camp
Our 2 week (40 hours total) boot camp includes an overview of the trades, an assessment of participant skill levels, and support in any areas of need
Individual Employment Plan
We will work with candidates to set career goals, identify any roadblocks, and provide any necessary services or support. Candidates will either move into a trades intro training or we will help develop an alternative track to obtain employment.
Pre-apprenticeship training
Through the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI), participants will receive three weeks of training that will prepare them to gain their choice of six trade- specific certifications. Completion of the training program will give participants points towards acceptance into FTI’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Participants will also receive one-on-one professional coaching.
Apprenticeship and Employment
From here, once they have completed the program, participants will be able to enter a union apprenticeship with District 21 or another union or gain employment with a non-union contractor.
