Reframe Your Future
Construction Pre-Apprenticeships
Non-Profit Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are invaluable stepping stones for those looking to enter the Construction trades. These programs help individuals build foundational skills, gain hands-on experience, and develop the confidence needed to succeed in Union Apprenticeships.
Construction opportunities are abundant, and these programs provide crucial support and guidance, often removing barriers to entry by offering training at little or no cost. Participants receive mentorship, job-readiness skills, and exposure to a variety of trades, setting them up for long-term success. By enrolling in a Pre-Apprenticeship, aspiring Construction workers not only gain practical skills but also establish connections with industry leaders and potential employers.
Explore this list of Non-Profit Organizations that provide Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in Chicago, and Nationally, to take the first step toward a career in Construction.
Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Programs:
Chicago
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Chicago Builds is a citywide, two-year off-campus construction training program for CPS juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in construction after graduating high school. Chicago Builds is an Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program site and offers the Master Builder program in conjunction with City Colleges of Chicago.
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Chicago Women in Trades began in 1981 and is still driven by our mission to ensure that all women who want to work with their hands and earn a good living have equal access to information, training, and employment opportunities in the industry.
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Community Assistance Programs was incorporated in 1999 and designated as a not-for-profit by the IRS. CAPs was created to meet the needs of the underprivileged population to enhance their quality of life, an enhancement we believe begins with employment. The primary focus of program activities is employment training and job placement services designed to meet the qualifications and skills of employer partners.
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CYDI focuses on the development of student’s academic, social/emotional, and executive skills to be successful in college and in their career. Earn your diploma and prepare for success in college, military, trades, and other careers.
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Highway Construction Careers Training Program is an all-expense paid, comprehensive 16 week training program which gives students a foundation in various construction trades and industry terminology in a hands-on environment.
HCCTP Website -
HACIA’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to prepare individuals for entrance into apprenticeship programs in the construction trades and for future employment opportunities. In partnership with St. Augustine’s Institute for Workforce Education, we are offering this program at IWE’s Little Village campus. The Fall 2022 offering will focus on Electrical. No experience is required.
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Our mission is to provide and mobilize the services needed to strengthen families and communities.
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At Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center, we support the Job Corps program’s mission to teach eligible young people the skills they need to become employable and independent and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.
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Revolution Workshop's nonprofit social enterprise provides construction and woodworking workforce development for unemployed or underemployed people in partnership with area businesses. We deliver financial independence and careers through skills, hope, and resilience.
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Are you ready for an exciting opportunity to earn a living wage with medical/dental benefits and a pension?
SPCDM is ready to start the preparation for you to meet the basic qualifications for entry into a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program to make this possible!
Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Programs:
National
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ANEW’s mission is to improve people’s lives by providing quality training, employment navigation, and supportive services leading to successful family wage careers.
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Building Futures launched in 2007 as a construction industry partnership focused on leveraging the Registered Apprenticeship model of workforce development. For over 100 years, unions and employers have jointly operated quality registered apprenticeships in construction occupations to train individuals as highly skilled tradespeople.
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H2H was created by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment, and Veterans Employment. H2H is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit joint labor-management-driven entity that connects transitioning active-duty military service members, veterans, National Guard, and Reservists with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry. Since 2003, we’ve helped over 40,000 military personnel successfully transfer into civilian careers in the construction trades.
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The Ready 2 Work program aims to advocate for equitable access and retention for Black workers to be employed in quality careers, free of discrimination with opportunities for leadership by promoting equitable policies and meaningful direct placements.
Ready 2 Work is a three-month process that includes an orientation- which introduces participants to the program expectations, vision, and goals of the LA BWC.
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Nevada Women In Trades (NVWIT) is a non-profit corporation registered in the state of Nevada with a mission: To prepare Women in Nevada for successful careers in high-skilled blue-collar (trade) occupations. A first step in the process of preparation for jobs in the “trades” is often the skills and aptitude test required for apprenticeship programs.
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Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) prepares, trains, and places women in careers in the skilled construction, utility, and maintenance trades, helping women achieve economic independence and a secure future for themselves and their families. At the same time, NEW provides a pipeline of qualified workers to the industries that build, move, power, green, and maintain New York.
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Oregon Tradeswomen helps transform lives by building community and economic independence through empowerment, training, career education, advocacy, and leadership development in the skilled trades. Oregon Tradeswomen’s commitment to help women achieve economic independence is integrated in our values, programs, advocacy, and direct service work.
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Founded in 1979 as a grassroots support organization, our mission is outreach, recruitment, retention and leadership development for women in blue-collar skilled craft.
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Texas Women in Trades was founded in 2013 by Allie Perez. Allie came to the trades in 2011 and immediately noted the lack of women, minorities and young people. She started working in the plumbing trade in 2011. She immediately noticed the lack of female representation. Her love for the trades motivated her to share the benefits of a career in the trades with others.
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Founded in 2010, UWIT mission is to retain and increase the number of women seeking and obtaining opportunities in non-traditional building and construction trades by supporting education through apprenticeship programs, outreach and retention programs, mentoring new trades women, celebrating success and providing encouragement and hope for future generations. To insure that all women who enter construction trades are able to work in a safe working environment, free from harassment.
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Vermont Works for Women’s mission is to promote economic justice by advancing gender equity and supporting women and youth at every stage of their career journeys. Founded in 1987, VWW engages women, girls and gender-expansive individuals in hands-on career education and exploration programs to help them overcome barriers, build confidence, and pursue their employment goals. We also provide gender equity services for schools and employers to improve educational and workplace cultures for women. Learn more about our programs!
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The Washington Women in Trades Association was founded in 1978 by and for tradeswomen to gather and share information.
Washington Women in Trades (WWIT) is a community based, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission is to improve women's economic equity and self-sufficiency through access and success in high-wage, high-skilled careers in the construction, manufacturing and transportation sector.
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WINTER has helped change the lives of so many women by playing a part in re-writing their stories for the last 26 years through our free pre-apprenticeship training. From a formerly incarcerated mother, to now a successful ironworker journeyman at Local 433. A domestic violence survivor found her strength and put it to good use by becoming a successful laborer and instructor with Local 300. A mother struggling to keep a roof over her family’s head has been able to put a down payment on a home by working as a plumber at Local 78. All of this has been made possible by people that believed in the same mission and vision as WINTER, and by understanding that gender equity is now more important than ever.