Defining moments system
The Prospects: Why We Get the Candidates
We host our “Defining Moments Project” forum. At this event, individuals can learn about the opportunities within the trades. The speakers at these events are large General Contractors, Project Engineers, Union Reps and Open Shop owners. Because of the participation of the prospects we can provide a direct pipeline for the prospect to become an apprentice in a pre-apprenticeship program.
The Education: Initial Education of the Candidates
We work with pre-apprenticeship programs to assist in the education of each future apprentice. We focus on State and local candidates that are identified as living in a distressed zip code. Our outreach team focuses on pre-apprentices that are in the native and refugee communities; as well as individuals who are identified as: African American, East African, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islanders.
The Experience: Small Projects
After an extensive training period where the apprentice is learning the basics of the construction trade, we assign the apprentice roles and tools. The apprentice is eligible to be deployed to the worksite. We partner with open shops, smaller contractors, and associated subs to provide real hands-on job training. By working on small projects, provides field experience that is outside of the classroom and can provide an income for these apprentices. The associated subs also act as mentors to the apprentice and can assist them with answering questions about their careers in the trades.
Feedback
The associated sub/smaller contractors provide feedback to these apprentices and give them projects to work on within their skill set. In each project, there will be feedback. When the feedback is not favorable for an apprentice, they are required to go back to the classroom to learn the skills that can help them with the project. Once the apprentice can be productive on the project, they are released back on site. This type of checks and balances system helps assure that productivity and education remain high throughout the apprentice’s deployment.
Continuing Education
In this system we offer a option for the apprentice to continue to learn while on the job. Our trainers provide a variety of skills sets that can assist the student on any job site. This option will deepen an apprentice’s skill set, and assist with the retention of apprentices in this program. The continued education classes are taken in the evening, and last for 2 to 3 hours depending on the skill set. By taking the classes at night, it assures that the apprentice is learning away from the site, they can implement what they have learned immediately, and the production does not decrease.
The Deployment of Skilled Trades:
We work with multiple organizations, communities, and databases to find individuals who have experience in the Labor and Carpentry trades. Hired Carpenters and Laborers can be placed on our payroll in a temporary/project capacity. These employees would be under our insurance. This has been proven to ease the burden for some of our clients.
Results: What is the true value of what we offer?
- Diversity, Inclusion and priority hiring numbers drastically increase.
- DBE utilization increases.
- Pre-apprenticeship numbers increase.
- Union Membership can increase.
- Insurance, Bonding and Exposure Minimized.
- Skilled worker ready to go to work that are excited about their opportunity.
- Continuous training for the apprentice to learn new skills.
- Companies utilizing this system will increase their numbers. By doing so, this will increase the likelihood of obtain more City, State and Federal contracts.