Facilities Management Pre-Apprentice Program

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Facilities Management Pre-Apprentice Program was developed to focus on challenges within the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center that required intergovernmental coordination; graffiti and vandalism, lack of available information about vocational opportunities and the need for hands on vocational training. Residents undergo an application and interview process in order to be selected for this program. Residents who are selected to participate will receive training in: job site set up, surface preparation, product application, safety equipment, job site/tool clean up. They spend 40 hours with union painters to earn future credit of three days towards completion of the Painters Council #14 Apprentice Program, should they decide to enter this apprenticeship program. They also receive Chicago Public School credit for attending the program during school breaks. Following the successful completion of this program, participants who still reside at the JTDC receive ongoing mentoring from their journeymen instructors with quarterly luncheon meetings on-site. Following their release, participants have the opportunity to attend union meetings as a guest of their mentors and become involved in service projects that the union participates in. Additionally, participants receive support in applying for entry into Job Corps or other similar community based programs that focus on a skilled trade.