1. Jobs for Community Residents: Why Housing
Authorities Should Be Your New Best Friend

2. Philadelphia Housing Authority
Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
George Johnson
April XX, 2012

3. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program History
On May 6, 1999, the following parties entered into a
Memorandum of Agreement in support of the largest pre-
apprenticeship training effort for public housing residents
in the United States:
─ PHA
─ Mayor of Philadelphia
─ Carpenters Union
─ Electricians Union
─ Plumbers Union
─ Painters Union
─ America Works Partnership
─ Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council

4. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
The goals of the newly designed program included:
- Creating access to viable job-training programs
for public housing residents
- Supporting economic self-sufficiency
- Preparing graduates for entry into approved
apprenticeships in various building and
construction trades

5. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Screening Process
Potential students are put through a multi-step
screening process that includes:
1. Confirmation they are a PHA resident
2. Completion of an application
3. Personal interview
4. Referral to PWDC for TABE testing, which
identifies their educational level
5. Drug test and criminal background check
Once successfully completed, the applicant is
admitted to the program.

6. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Program Structure
Training falls into three categories:
• Vocational
• Academics
• Life Skills
In addition, a customized work plan is created for each
student to provide proper preparation for their selected
trade

7. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Vocational
Each student receives four Students also have the
weeks of training in each opportunity to receive the
of the following trades: following additional
training and certifications:
• Electrical • OSHA – 10 Certification
• RRP (Renovation, Repair &
• Painting Painting EPA Certification)
• Forklift Certification
• Roofing • GED (if needed)
• Introduction to Welding
• Carpentry • Weatherization Basics
• Cultural Awareness
• Plumbing • FLIP – Financial Literacy
Improvement Program

8. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Academic
• The Pre-Apprenticeship also
addresses academic and life skills
issues to help produce viable
employees.
• Students receive academic
training in disciplines beneficial to
their future work responsibilities,
including:
– Math
– Computer skills
– GED preparation and testing

9. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Academic (cont.)
The Pre-Apprenticeship also addresses academic and life skills issues
to help produce viable employees
Students receive academic training in disciplines beneficial to their
future work responsibilities, including:
• Math/Reading Comprehension
• Computer skills
• Career and Professional Preparation
• Soft Skills (Communication, Leadership, Ethics,
and Collaboration)

10. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Life Skills
Additional instruction and focus of program include:
─ Work Ethic
Punctuality, organization, accountability, teamwork
─ Work Environment
Transitioning to work, adapting to a union oriented
work site, appropriate workplace behavior
─ Financial Literacy
Finance management skills are important, particularly
because of the cyclical nature of the construction
industry

11. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Program Results
Placement
Since program inception in 1999:
807 students have graduated
692 graduates have obtained successful employment, in either a
union-sponsored apprenticeship (421) or a non-union job (271)
Graduates have been sponsored and placed in the following unions:
 carpenters  drywall finishers
 laborers  cement finishers
 electricians  sheet metal workers
 painters  glaziers
 roofers  operating engineers
 plumbers  plasterers

12. Pre-Apprenticeship
Training Program
Post-Graduation
Average initial earning wage of 2010 graduate was $12.84 +
benefits
Graduates are notified of scheduled tests for entrance into the
following trade unions:
─ Painters
─ Glaziers
─ Electricians
─ Carpenters
─ Sheet Metal Workers
─ Plumbers
Most graduates who chose not to pursue positions in the
building trades find gainful employment in other positions

13. THANK YOU!
To follow up with the speaker: George Johnson
Contact information: Work Force Development Center
1905 Vare Ave.
Philadelphia, Pa. 19145
(215) 684-8049
(215) 684-8050
(215) 684-8051 fax
Presentations will be available at www.ncrc.org/conference
by
April 30, 2012