Community Works Begins Registration for Program to Train Workers for Building Trades, Transportation and Highway Construction Jobs

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Community Works, the only registered pre-apprenticeship program in Western Massachusetts, is accepting applications for its February 2020 class. The program is aimed at getting adults from the greater Springfield area into the building trades and the transportation and highway construction industry.

The initiative is funded through the state Department of Transportation and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The university plays a lead role in coordinating the many stakeholders involved in the partnership.

The program, including equipment, training and all associated certifications – worth more than $10,000 – is free to awarded trainees. After the six-week training is completed, staff work to place trained graduates in either trades apprenticeships, transportation and highway construction, or on-the-job training toward these goals.

Information sessions for potential trainees will be held at the following times:

At MassHire Holyoke, 850 High St., Holyoke:

• Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
• Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

At MassHire Springfield, 1 Federal St., Springfield:

• Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.
• Nov. 20 at 6 p.m.
• Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

Potential trainees can learn more and also begin the application process by completing a brief intake questionnaire through http://communityworkswesternmass.org or www.facebook.com/umasscommunityworks.

After acceptance into the program, awarded trainees enter the six-week intensive preparation program that runs Monday through Friday,  from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The goal is to obtain a well-paid, life-long career, and at the same time meet the increase need for the transportation and trades workforce at a time when infrastructure is being renewed and the older generation of this workforce is retiring.

Originally launched as Springfield Works in 2009, Community Works expanded its reach in 2013 to the greater Springfield and Holyoke areas. The training program includes a number of free tools to begin their apprenticeships, education in construction math, trips to union training centers, presentations from industry experts, workers’ rights, teamwork, personal budgeting and interviewing skills in addition to hands-on carpentry, laborer, electrician and other classes. Trainees graduate from the program qualified to work on construction sites with certificates in OSHA-10, First Aid/AED/CPR, Highway Flagger, and more. They also receive mentoring and job placement assistance after graduation.