Local nonprofits help start careers in the trades

The trades are often overlooked as a potential career path, yet, they offer a high-paying career and transferable skills. Furthermore, trades often offer training programs that allow apprentices to earn money while they learn the trade and avoid college debt. Local nonprofit Constructing Hope has taken the initiative to help under-represented and disadvantaged individuals gain the skills needed to excel in the application processes and start their career in the trades. Constructing Hope is a pre-apprenticeship training program that helps participants become familiar with trade tools, learn more about the different career opportunities offered in the trades, and finally apply to apprenticeships. “We build pathways for people to get into the trades,” said Constructing Hope executive director Patricia Daniels. “We integrate life skills and construction culture into the training so that people understand where they are going and how to stay there.” Constructing Hope began as the Irvington Covalent Community Development Corporation in 1995 as a ready-to-work program for formerly incarcerated African American men.