Results from Construction Pre-apprenticeship Survey

The Aspen Institute’s Workforce Strategies Initiative recently published the findings of its nationwide survey of pre-apprenticeship programs in the construction trades. Based on responses from 260 programs nationwide, the report presents information about program size, services offered, populations served, funding sources, and successes and challenges in placing trainees in apprenticeships or jobs. The report noted that it is difficult to create a uniformly acceptable definition of “pre-apprenticeship” program but settled on “any program that aims to offer services that connect people not already in the trades or construction industry, to trades jobs, training or apprenticeships in that industry.” All registered apprenticeship programs were excluded from the survey. Highlights from the report: • While nearly 40 percent of the programs reported that at least three-quarters of their students complete    the pre-apprenticeship program, nearly 60 percent reported that fewer than 1 in 5 graduates are actually    placed in an apprenticeship program. • Three-quarters of the programs include women in their programs, but only 33 percent have programs    or program elements specifically designed to encourage and support women in the trades. • More than 40 percent of programs serve immigrants and limited English-language populations, but    less than 10 percent have programs specifically for those populations. • 33 percent require a high school diploma or GED for entrance. • Slightly more than half screen for legal work status. • More than 80 percent provide information on the structure and nature of the construction industry; nearly    60 percent provide information on green construction; 89 percent teach hand tool identification and    use; more than 90 percent teach math skills; 95 percent provide safety training, with 70 percent teaching    the OSHA 10-hour course; more than three-quarters provide blueprint reading training. AGC participated in the initial design of the survey and encouraged members and Chapters to answer the survey. Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the impetus for the project was a desire to explore the capacity of the work force system to prepare individuals – particularly low-income and minority jobseekers – for jobs in the construction industry. To read the complete report, please go to the Workforce Strategies Initiative website.