Jan 19, 2018 2 min read

The Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania will hold a Construction Trades Careers – Community Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at PPG Paints Arena.

A news release from the Builders Guild notes the region’s commercial construction industry is at historic highs and continues to grow. Industry estimates are for about $5.5 billion in construction projects in 2018, and more than $6 billion in 2019 in the 10-county region that includes Washington and Greene counties.

According to Jeff Nobers, executive director of the Builders Guild, which represents 16 different skilled trade unions, the region’s construction trades, contractors, community and political leaders are committed to providing access to these opportunities to meet the demand for highly trained and skilled tradespeople, regardless of race or gender, who have the drive and desire to build a sustainable, well-paying and life-altering career.

The apprenticeship training programs offer paid training with full benefits.

While the opportunities are no-cost to qualified enrollees, the “earn while you learn” training is available throughout the region’s 16 commercial trade unions and their contractor partners.

“We recognize that there are barriers – some self-made and others societal – that many people, especially minorities and the underserved, need to address and overcome, to be able to take full advantage of the opportunity to become a viable part of our region’s growth and success,” Nobers said.

During the workshop, attendees will meet representatives of the Pittsburgh region construction trades and contractors to learn about the application and acceptance process into the apprenticeship training programs.

Also on hand to answer questions or provide guidance and additional services will be: the region’s best known general contractors; Duquesne University Law School providing guidance on criminal record expungment; the A. Philip Randolph Institute for information on obtaining a drivers’ license or recovering a suspended license.

Also available will be the Energy Innovation Center and its “Breaking the Chains of Poverty” program, pre-apprenticeship programs designed for those who need to improve math, reading and interpersonal skills; community service organizations that offer programs to help prepare for testing and interviews; and Community College of Allegheny County for adult education programs.

Those attending the workshop will have access to free parking in the arena’s south lot on Center Avenue.