The Maine State Building & Construction Trades Council is launching the Building Pathways Maine Apprenticeship Readiness Program, a free three-week intensive program designed to help adult learners begin a career in the building trades.

"We know that without an all-hands-on deck approach, we'll never be able to meet the skills and personnel gap in Maine's construction industry," said John Napolitano, president of the MSBCTC and business manager for the United Association, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 716. "We're eager to play our part by engaging the community and helping them gain access to the good paying jobs with benefits that our unions and our signatory contractors offer.”

Modeled after the industry-recognized North America's Building Trades Unions' Apprenticeship Readiness Program, Building Pathways Maine will equip graduates with the knowledge they'll need to make them attractive candidates for further education and training in the field of construction.

Courses will be delivered by subject matter experts and guest presenters in the various fields of study. Topics of study include, Industry and Trade Awareness, Construction Math, Health and Safety, Diversity Awareness and Financial Responsibility.

While not an express guarantee of employment, students who successfully complete the training will be prepared for and offered an interview with an affiliated labor union and business partner's joint apprenticeship training program.