For employers across the Gulf Coast, finding skilled workers is about preparing for years of construction and infrastructure projects still ahead.
In a recent Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast video, employers and apprenticeship leaders explained why programs like the ARP/MC3 pre-apprenticeship program have become an important part of their hiring strategy. As demand for skilled trades continues to grow, employers say they’re looking for candidates who arrive with a strong foundation and are ready to continue their training through Registered Apprenticeships.
Paul Puente, Executive Secretary of the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council, said the region has more construction work than trained workers available to complete it.
“There’s more work than we’ve got people trained for,” Puente said, pointing to billions of dollars in construction projects planned across the Gulf Coast.
Preparing Candidates Before They Enter an Apprenticeship
The ARP/MC3 program introduces participants to the construction industry before they apply for a Registered Apprenticeship. Training includes OSHA 10 certification, CPR and First Aid, construction math, tool orientation, mock interviews, and an overview of multiple skilled trades.
According to instructor Dale Sanford, the curriculum is designed to help participants understand both the technical and workplace expectations they’ll encounter when interviewing for apprenticeship opportunities.
Employers Value Candidates Who Arrive Prepared
Several employers featured in the video said graduates of the ARP/MC3 program often enter the hiring process with skills that help them transition more quickly into apprenticeship training.
Lacy Wolf said participants who complete MC3 already understand the expectations of the construction industry, while Bryan Edwards described the program as one of the strongest recruitment tools available for employers seeking new apprentices.
The program also introduces participants to a variety of career paths, including electricians, elevator constructors, operating engineers, bricklayers, welders, pipefitters, and other skilled trades represented throughout the Gulf Coast.
A Direct Path to Skilled Careers
Registered Apprenticeships allow participants to earn a paycheck while receiving classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Additionally, apprenticeship leaders noted that graduates can build careers without taking on college tuition debt while earning competitive wages and benefits as they progress through their training.
You can learn more about it in this video:
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