Archive for category: Missouri Apprentice Ready Program

James was always curious about the trades, but wasn’t familiar with how to become an apprentice. “I had always thought you had to have a relative get you in,” says James, who was having trouble finding sustainable employment. “But, one day I was at a baby shower at the YMCA and saw a flier on the wall. I reached out, had an interview, followed up and got into the cohort.”

The diversity of the program really impressed James. Having the opportunity to familiarize yourself with each trade before making a decision really helped me make a confident choice. “I like that it teaches you about all 13 trades, you get to visit most union halls and talk with apprentice instructors, try a little dry wall, brick laying, virtual welding – it’s really hands-on. They help you prepare for the math aptitude test, provide interview training, and explain what to expect at the job site. They walk you through the unique culture and etiquette of the trades – how to conduct yourself professionally.”

After graduating the MWI’s Apprentice Ready Program, James is now an apprentice with the Sheet Metal Workers, and he couldn’t be happier. “I love it! It’s something that I look forward to every day,” James shares. “It doesn’t feel like work. It’s practical and easy to understand. The more you get into it and repeat the work, you just get better at it. I walked in really green, without much construction experience, but none of the workers gave me a hard time. As long as you show up eager to learn, they don’t judge you for that. It’s been great. I love it.” 

Looking to the future, James is enjoying more stability, more money, and is looking forward to his future. “I’m able to provide insurance for my daughter and myself. I’m also engaged, so I’m looking forward to being able to provide insurance for my entire family,” he says. “It gives me so much to look forward to. Working with the journeymen gives me an idea of what my life will be like if I stick with it. They encourage me and tell me how much I can make. I’ve  been committed to other things longer with less to show. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is a lot of motivation.” 

If you are curious about the trades and are looking for a reliable, life-changing career, James wants to encourage you to take that first step. “If you are looking for a career that’s going to increase your income – as long as you’re ready to show up on time for the rest of your life, this is something you need to get into. If you’re ready to commit, sign up already!”

Start your journey here.

After completing her military service, Kaylah struggled to find sustainable employment. She was tired of having limiting jobs that she didn’t see herself staying in for the long term. “I heard about the Missouri Works Initiative’s Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis through my aunt who knew I was looking for a career in the trades. She mentioned a job fair that the program was going to be a part of,” says Kaylah.

“I love the diversity of this program and its ability to give individuals opportunities that they may not have known about before joining,” Kaylah shares. “This program has changed my life tremendously. I had just finished my military mobilization in Fort Bliss, Texas and arrived back home. Despite my service, I could not find a decent job for myself. After joining the MWI’s Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis, all of that has changed for the better.” 

Now, Kaylah is enjoying financial stability in a highly specialized field. After graduation, Kaylah joined the Elevator’s Local Union #3, which is one of the most difficult apprenticeship programs to enter. “The door this program opened for me has not only helped me financially, but mentally as well. I now have the career that is right for me,” says Kaylah.

If you are looking for a sustainable, rewarding career, Kaylah encourages you to consider the MWI’s Apprentice Ready Program and a union apprenticeship in the trades. “I would say do it! Not a lot of people know about the Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis, but if there were a lot more people who knew, it would be life changing for many.”

Start your journey here.

“Our role is to help with up front needs assessment and to assist students throughout their classroom experience by helping them overcome any barriers that would prevent their participation,” says Greg. “ We connect them with hotel rooms, transportation, or other resources in our community that they need. We want everyone who starts the program to finish the program because we think it’s a game changer.”

Missouri Apprentice Ready helps build community ownership by changing lives with sustainable career opportunities, which aligns with United Way’s upstream focus of helping individuals overcome the barriers to self sufficiency. “I have personally seen lives changed because of the Missouri Apprentice Ready program. Individuals go from living in cars or couch surfing to financial independence, and we think that is amazing,” says Greg. We help with housing, transportation, food insecurity, and whatever is necessary to keep them in class.” 

One of Greg’s favorite moments in the program is graduation. “That’s when you see it all come together. Friends and family come to the ceremony to celebrate students and what they’ve accomplished. The trades are there too–not only to celebrate, but to offer jobs. These are the goosebump moments because you have people who have gone through the program showing what they can do, and the labor trades are pitching them job offers. Sometimes graduates have multiple offers to choose from when a few weeks before, they had no stable job prospects,” says Greg. “They are quickly in a position to have a level of ownership in their community and help spread hope to others, coming full circle. Helping your neighbor weaves a tighter social fabric that benefits everyone.” 

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When approached by Rudy Chavez with the offer to become a supporter of the Kansas City area Missouri Apprentice Ready program, it was an easy yes for Mark One Electric President and CEO, Rosanna Privitera-Biondo. “We had worked together previously through IBEW Local 124 and wanted to move forward,” says Privitera-Biondo. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help find future tradespeople in Missouri – they offer 20-plus trade opportunities!”

A trusted Kansas City electrical company, Mark One Electric believes in the Missouri Apprentice Ready program and illustrates their support by providing their local program with a space to meet and conduct training. But they don’t stop there. Additionally, they give students and instructors access to necessary tools and equipment at no charge to the program. 

Founded in 1974 by Rosanna’s parents, Carl and Josephine Privitera, Mark One has been giving back to the Kansas City area for decades. They began by servicing small business, commercial and industrial accounts and quickly developed a reputation for completing difficult jobs for demanding clients and were soon working in major plants and industrial facilities across the country. Mark One has continued to evolve and diversify, offering an impressive scope of electrical construction services from design, build and pre-construction to underground, data/communications and specialty systems.

With over 200 employees they are considered the specialty contractor of choice for the Kansas City construction community. “We care about the people of Missouri. We want to give them opportunities to work with their hands in a good industry that has many opportunities in the construction industry,” says Rosanna. “This program is helping by educating people about all the opportunities that the construction industry has to offer for tradespeople. It shows them that this is a good field to work in with endless possibilities.

Mark One Electric has hosted two cohorts and always engages to support students’ career readiness. They currently employ two Missouri Apprentice Ready Kansas City participants – Cohort 2 graduate John Weir and  Cohort 5 graduate  Naomi Alexander who are IBEW 124 apprentices. “If you’re looking for a way to start a career in the union trades and gain valuable connections that carry on even after you graduate, then this program is where you want to be,” says Naomi.

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“As a single mom, I used to work two jobs without benefits and still couldn’t afford my own place to live,” says Ciji. After completing the five week Apprentice Ready Program, she is now employed full-time with Laborers 663, including benefits. Having achieved the economic stability to provide a home for her family and regain custody of her son, Ciji is no longer uncertain of the future.

Wanting to create a better life for herself and her son, Ciji didn’t know where to turn until her Kansas City halfway house counselor gave her an Apprentice Ready Program flier. She quickly moved to Springfield and joined its first cohort. She was mildly concerned about being a woman pursuing the building trades, but as she made connections through the Missouri Works Initiative and United Way of the Ozarks, she grew confident in her decision. As for the physicality of the work, Ciji says the experience “…has taught me that I can work just as good as a man.”

After a week of orientation, Ciji was able to visit each trade, eventually choosing the Labor Union. “I do a lot of concrete, demolition, commercial remodeling, and job site cleanup. I like that every day I can do something different,” she says.

Ciji is already looking to the future, when one day she hopes to become a foreman. She says, “I’d love to be able to work my way up the ladder–to accomplish that. My life now is so much better than the life I was living. The pay is great, I have job security, and everyday is a new learning experience. If you’re out there considering this program, just do it! Quit putting it off and take that first step!”

 

Start your journey here.