Construction Trades Program
The community workforce development program trains workers to fill the demand for construction jobs in South Florida. The program is designed to serve South Florida communities in need of job opportunities.
The Construction Trades program is made possible through grants from both private and public entities. From 2018 to date, there have been many supporting factors that have allowed the trades program to continue to assist the community.
The Construction Trades Certificate Program is the result of a partnership between Florida International University and the Lennar Foundation that started in 2018. Lennar Foundation supported the Construction Trades Program for the first two years with 14-weeks classes. Allowing the program to bloom to what it is today.
The FIU Preapprenticeship Program was a free, 6-month certificate program that prepared workers for entry-level construction jobs across Florida.
Florida International University (FIU) in support of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity-Workforce Recovery Training Program (WRTP), offered the FIU Preapprenticeship Program in construction skills to the community in Miami-Dade County. The FIU Preapprenticeship Program provided a complete curriculum of nationally recognized certifications as an Accredited Training Sponsor by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
The certifications are tied to in demand existing construction crafts. Leadership and communications skills training are included in the curriculum and are specially designed for assistance with construction industry employability.
“This training is made available through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program. Launched with federal Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery funding to assist communities affected by Hurricane Irma, the Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program trains Floridians in the construction trades necessary to support disaster recovery efforts. For more information visit www.RebuildFlorida.gov.”
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The Construction Trades Program partnered with The Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) for the SEOPW CRA Façade Beautification and Work Training Program, to provide in classroom and on the job training for community members of the SEOPW CRA redevelopment area.
Initiated by the SEOPW CRA, the Façade Beautification and Work Training Program was a transformative initiative to revitalize the community's visual appeal and strengthen its structural foundation. Championed by SEOPW CRA Board Chairwoman Christine King and Executive Director James McQueen, the program focused on exterior painting, repairs, and prep work for one-, two-, and three-story residential, mixed-use, and commercial buildings. Facilitated by the Florida International University (FIU) Construction Trades Program, the program provided a balanced approach to learning. Trainees benefited from hands-on experience and classroom sessions, gaining practical skills and knowledge.
Program Objectives
· Quality of Life Enhancement
· Elimination of blight
· Hands-On Training and Job Placement
Post-Completion Support:
Upon completing the program, participants received valuable assistance with job placement. This support ensures a seamless transition for trainees into the workforce, allowing them to apply their newfound skills and contribute to the ongoing improvement of the community.
Community Impact:
By addressing the aesthetic and structural aspects of residential and commercial structures, the program aspires to elevate residents' overall quality of life. This program is more than just a training initiative; it is a community-driven effort to bring about positive change. By empowering individuals with skills, improving the aesthetics of buildings, and enhancing the community's identity, the SEOPW CRA Facade Beautification and Work Training Program embodies the commitment and betterment of the SEOPW CRA.
