A career in the skilled trades may be more accessible than many people realize. The Apprenticeship Readiness Program/Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (ARP/MC3) is a free 3-week program that prepares participants for Registered Apprenticeships through hands-on training, industry certifications, and career preparation. The program can open the door to some of the Gulf Coast region’s most in-demand trades.
Supported by Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast, the program connects participants with training providers, apprenticeship programs, and employers. Participants were introduced to careers in pipefitting, electrical work, elevator construction, insulation, operating engineers, bricklaying, and other building trades.
“There’s more work than we’ve got people trained, and we’ve got $50 billion worth of work here in our region,” said Paul Puente, Executive Secretary of the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council.
Preparing for Registered Apprenticeships
The ARP/MC3 curriculum is designed to help participants meet the expectations of Registered Apprenticeship programs before they apply. Instructions include:
- Construction industry orientation
- Basic construction math
- Tool identification and orientation
- OSHA 10 Safety Certification
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Mock interviews and interview preparation
- Workplace safety and professional skills
Participants are also introduced to multiple construction trades, giving them an opportunity to learn about different career paths before deciding which apprenticeship may be the best fit.
“The best way to get into the program is to start out with the Gulf Coast Building Trades and do an MC3 class,” said Randy Beal, President of Pipe Fitters Local 211. “It’s a pre-apprenticeship so they can understand what all the program contains.”
Training That Leads to Careers
The program gives participants a foundation they can build on once they enter a Registered Apprenticeship.Apprentices earn wages while completing classroom instruction and on-the-job training. “The best thing about it is when they graduate and become a journeyman, it’s debt-free,” said Bryan Edwards, Business Manager of Pipe Fitters Local 211. “They don’t owe anything.” Registered Apprenticeships also provide benefits and a structured path toward skilled, long-term careers in the building trades
Connecting Local Talent With Local Opportunities
For some participants, the program can open the door to immediate career opportunities.
“I actually just got a job offer, and I should be working next week,” said Brandon Binder, an ARP/MC3 participant.
According to Juliet Stipeche, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast, the program helps connect local residents with training that supports both employers and the region’s workforce needs. “We have an opportunity to connect local talent who are going to be able to go into a program that’s going to give them connections to learning, to companies, to partners, to training. This is truly a way for them to access an opportunity that will build the American middle class.”
Individuals interested in learning more about the ARP/MC3 program, eligibility requirements, or upcoming training opportunities can visit ARP/MC3 or explore additional training and workforce resources through Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast.
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