January 21–28, 1999

slant

Apt Future

By Liza Rodriguez and Alba Martinez

For the last 20 years, Congreso de Latinos Unidos has worked to build the socio-economic base of Philadelphia's Latino community through a variety of family-centered programs. The recent welfare-to-work legislation has brought our training and employment programs to the forefront. Because Latinos are the fastest growing population in the city and in many parts of the country, Congreso is currently developing ways to facilitate economic opportunities in our community that build on people's skills and career objectives. One of those strategies is the APTitude Training Program (Apprenticeship Prep for Trades).

Dave Rosa and Tamika Williams were both struggling economically before joining the APTitude program. Dave, a father of two, was working odd jobs and looking to jump-start his carpentry career. Tamika, a mother of four with some experience in indoor design and furniture work, was searching for a training program that would yield sustainable employment in the construction trades and help her transition from public assistance into full-time work. Through Congreso's pre-apprenticeship training, Dave and Tamika recently accomplished their common career goals: They both passed the apprenticeship entrance exam for the carpenters' union and have been hired and sponsored into the union by two of the biggest construction companies in the city. Dave is preparing to start working with Dale Construction Company. Tamika has been working with Madison Construction at the Kvaerner Shipyard project since mid-December. Their "sponsorship" means that they will be working and learning on the job with the company while receiving top-quality training at the Carpenters' Apprenticeship School. This combination of well-paid work and quality training has become a rarity in today's economic environment.

Given the unique career opportunities that union apprenticeship programs offer, and following Philadelphia's recent construction boom, Congreso developed a training program that prepares individuals to pass the apprenticeship entrance examinations for a variety of construction trades. Congreso embarked on a highly successful pilot program during the winter and spring of 1997-98 with the help of a union carpenter and the full support of the Carpenters' Metropolitan Council and Joint Apprenticeship Committee. The APTitude program is now funded by the Private Industry Council of Philadelphia and was recently awarded a grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Of the 39 students who have taken the apprenticeship exam for the carpentry trade, 30 have passed. This success reflects both Congreso's commitment to quality training and our community's level of determination regarding their educational and economic advancement.

Congreso is presently working on expanding this training program to other trade unions who offer apprenticeship programs similar to the carpenters. Expanding our current quality program to other trades is another way in which Congreso seeks to diversify the Latino community's access to family-sustaining work opportunities. And because the city is experiencing an ongoing construction boom, the timing is perfect for our students to gain access to these highly desirable work-and-training apprenticeship programs. Our skilled, mostly low-income and minority students are not only trailblazing their way into the once-closed doors of Philadelphia's trade unions, but they are also contributing to the strength of a highly skilled regional work force. By developing a training program that responds to the needs and demands of the local and regional economy, Congreso has become engaged in a potentially win-win situation: the development of a skilled and healthy work force; family-sustaining jobs for a poverty-impacted community; greater labor union strength; and productive partnerships between private companies, government agencies and community-based institutions.

Liza Rodriguez is manager of operations, education, training and employment division of Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Alba Martinez is executive director of Congreso de Latinos Unidos. If you would like to respond, or have a Slant submission, contact Howard Altman, news editor, altman@citypaper.net or call 215-735-8444, ext. 208.