Step up to opportunity!
Saint Paul Church of God in Christ Community Development Ministries, Inc. (SPCDM) will host its 8th Annual Construction Conference & Expo on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 4550 South Wabash Avenue from 8A until noon. The event, which is open to the public, features interactive displays provided by several different trades union as well as information about the construction building industry.
It has been 22 years since SPCDM launched its pre-apprenticeship training program spearheaded by Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford. According to executive director, Betty Jones the pre-apprenticeship program is designed to prepare hard-to-serve, historically under-represented and minorities to enter USDOL registered apprenticeships and other related industries.
“To date SPCDM has recruited over 2,000 men and women; trained close to 500 participants; referred 200 plus individuals who have completed the course work to qualify to register for USDOL apprenticeship programs or sponsoring construction firms and placed over 200 individuals who have successfully qualified to participate in the USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Programs and/or other related employment industries,” she added.
The pre-apprenticeship program helps individuals prepare to pass the exam required to enter U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs (USDP), the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council, CISCO, and local construction companies. Says Ford, “Upon completion of the program, SPCDM’s students have increased their percentile with a chance to score in the upper 5% on the entrance exam and advanced to earn long-term careers in construction after their apprenticeships.
“The building trades should be representative of our diverse city and its surrounding areas,” said Ford. “We collaborate with the local construction trade labor unions, forward-thinking Contractors, and our CISCO partners to increase diversity in this field. This is an excellent opportunity for young African American men and women to earn meaningful, long-term careers through debt-free training and mentoring,”
This Conference & Expo is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Check out the link at:
https://SPCDM8THANNUAL EXPO.eventbrite.com
Enrollment for the 12-week career readiness program is now in progress. For additional information call Betty Jones, executive director, at 773 538 5120.
