Jobs for Community Residents: Why Housing Authorities Should Be Your New Best Friend

Philadelphia Housing AuthorityPre-ApprenticeshipTraining ProgramGeorge JohnsonApril XX, 2012

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

On May 6, 1999, the following parties entered into a Memorandum of Agreement in support of the largest pre-apprenticeship training effort for public housing residents in the United States:

─ PHA─ Mayor of Philadelphia─ Carpenters Union─ Electricians Union─ Plumbers Union─ Painters Union─ America Works Partnership─ Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program History

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

The goals of the newly designed program included:

- Creating access to viable job-training programs for public housing residents

- Supporting economic self-sufficiency

- Preparing graduates for entry into approved apprenticeships in various building and construction trades

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Potential students are put through a multi-step screening process that includes:

1. Confirmation they are a PHA resident2. Completion of an application3. Personal interview4. Referral to PWDC for TABE testing, which

identifies their educational level5. Drug test and criminal background check

Once successfully completed, the applicant is admitted to the program.

Screening Process

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Training falls into three categories:

• Vocational

• Academics

• Life Skills

In addition, a customized work plan is created for each student to provide proper preparation for their selected trade

Program Structure

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Each student receives four weeks of training in each of the following trades:

• Electrical

• Painting

• Roofing

• Carpentry

• Plumbing

Vocational

Students also have the opportunity to receive the following additional training and certifications:

• OSHA – 10 Certification• RRP (Renovation, Repair &

Painting EPA Certification)• Forklift Certification• GED (if needed)• Introduction to Welding• Weatherization Basics• Cultural Awareness• FLIP – Financial Literacy

Improvement Program

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

• The Pre-Apprenticeship also addresses academic and life skills issues to help produce viable employees.

• Students receive academic training in disciplines beneficial to their future work responsibilities, including:

– Math

– Computer skills

– GED preparation and testing

Academic

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

The Pre-Apprenticeship also addresses academic and life skills issues to help produce viable employees

Students receive academic training in disciplines beneficial to their future work responsibilities, including:

• Math/Reading Comprehension

• Computer skills

• Career and Professional Preparation

• Soft Skills (Communication, Leadership, Ethics,

and Collaboration)

Academic (cont.)

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Additional instruction and focus of program include: ─ Work Ethic

Punctuality, organization, accountability, teamwork─ Work Environment

Transitioning to work, adapting to a union oriented work site, appropriate workplace behavior

─ Financial LiteracyFinance management skills are important, particularly

because of the cyclical nature of the construction industry

Life Skills

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Since program inception in 1999:807 students have graduated

692 graduates have obtained successful employment, in either a

union-sponsored apprenticeship (421) or a non-union job (271)

Program ResultsPlacement

Graduates have been sponsored and placed in the following unions:

carpenters laborers electricians painters roofers plumbers

drywall finishers cement finishers sheet metal workers glaziers operating engineers plasterers

Pre-ApprenticeshipTraining Program

Average initial earning wage of 2010 graduate was $12.84 + benefitsGraduates are notified of scheduled tests for entrance into the following trade unions:

─ Painters

─ Glaziers

─ Electricians

─ Carpenters

─ Sheet Metal Workers

─ Plumbers

Most graduates who chose not to pursue positions in the building trades find gainful employment in other positions

Post-Graduation

THANK YOU!

To follow up with the speaker: George JohnsonContact information: Work Force Development Center

1905 Vare Ave.Philadelphia, Pa. 19145(215) 684-8049(215) 684-8050(215) 684-8051 fax

Presentations will be available at www.ncrc.org/conference by April 30, 2012