The Chain will provide workforce development services for individuals with pre-existing conditions, including those whose conditions were or remain exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. The workforce development services outlined below include baseline testing by a licensed psychologist, classroom instruction, basic shop training, and employment referrals for students interested in gaining workforce skills. Also included are transportation (rental van) to/from classes at the Institute, visits to job sites, stipends for course completion and graduation ceremonies at the end of the training.

Components consist of 1) Baseline testing for aptitude; 2) Enrollment in the Chain’s Pre-Apprenticeship Classroom component; 3) Enrollment in the Pre-Apprenticeship Shop component; and 4) Job referrals and information about apprenticeship programs and avenues for pursuing further training at educational institutions. 

Successful completion of the Chain’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program will position students to obtain entry-level certifications (OSHA Safety Certifications), enrollment in registered apprentice programs and immediate employment in the construction industry. The OSHA Safety Certifications, by reducing costly on-the-job accidents and employee turnover, becomes an incentive for immediate employment in the construction industry. The program will also provide participants with financial resources and the ability to accumulate the requisite experience and hours to obtain certifications/licensure. 

The components of the Pre-Apprenticeship Program will create a pipeline of potential students who have exhibited awareness, readiness, and fitness for work in the construction trades.

The Pre-Apprentice Classroom Component is class-room based instruction and is designed to create an awareness of potential trade opportunities in the construction industry and evaluate students’ readiness and fitness for this type of work. The curriculum starts with a broad introduction of the construction industry and trades along with classes on job site safety, use of safety equipment, basic mathematics, identification of work tools for each trade, basic measuring and calculations, identification of materials used in the trades, and certification and licensing requirements for each trade. This component also includes job site visits, field trips, job shadowing, trade group speakers and completion of a small project.

The classroom component consists of separate class instruction for each of the four trades listed below:

1. Electrical
2. Plumbing
3. HVAC
4. Carpentry/Framing

Each class is taught by a contractor specialist in the respective four areas. The class schedule consists of 2 classes per week @ 1.5 hours per class for a total of 3 hours of classroom instruction each week. The classroom component covers a period of 2 months.

Pre-Apprentice Shop Component

The Pre-Apprenticeship Shop Component is hands-on training in a trade that students have identified as their area of interest (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and Carpentry/Framing). This component teaches the basic principles of that trade, use of trade-specific tools at six mock workstations, organizing a job site, estimating, along with the completion of a group project at the end of the class. 

The shop component consists of separate hands-on training instruction for each of the four trades - Electrical, Plumbing,      HVAC and Carpentry/Framing.

The training instruction is conducted by a contractor specialist in the respective four areas.  The instruction schedule consists of 2 classes per week @ 1.5 hours per class for a total of 3 hours of classroom instruction each week.  The shop component covers a period of 3 months.

Job Referral Component

The Job Referral Component assists students in finding employment in local apprenticeship programs and immediate job opportunities by connecting students with area employers, job fairs and construction trade associations who hire for apprenticeships, work/study programs, summer employment, internships and permanent employment. This component also assists students who want to pursue more training and licensing at other educational institutions.

For more information and to register for the next session, contact The Durham Business and Professioal chain at 919-683-1047 or email us at durhambusinesschain202@gmail.com.