Rebuild’s vocational training programs break barriers, drive diversity, and forge equity in skilled trades.
It’s one of the most heartbreaking scenes that play out again and again in “gentrifying” neighborhoods. There’s always a Q&A after a developer’s team finishes their presentation for a big luxury apartment building or whatever that’ll be replacing a beautiful church or old mansion or the factories everyone’s grandfathers worked at. And along with the usual rent, parking and traffic concerns, someone will inevitably stand up to ask, “Will there be jobs for us, at least?”
And the answer, of course, is no – but with an upbeat spin. Philly is a union town, and people like the idea of union labor: well-trained, fully certified, fairly compensated, aptly managed, etc. But no matter how skilled a neighbor can be, unless they’re a card-carrying union member they will most likely not find construction work on large-scale projects in the city. It’s just not worth the risks and potential backlash for developers.
So just join a union, right? It’s not that easy. While unions have set the standard for key training and certifications, they also control access. Not just anyone can be an apprentice – you need a current union member to sponsor you, there are interviews, upfront costs, and other obstacles. People who grew up around unions also tend to have an extra edge, not only from personal connections but just being familiar with the union culture, which has its own ethics and etiquette.
What if I told you that the City has a program designed to break past all these barriers? 🤯🤯🤯
Rebuild is open to every Philadelphian with a high school diploma and a genuine desire to learn a high-skill trade. More than just free training – it’s a paid assignment to learn on the job: $15/hour for a 40-hour week, including one day in the classroom and four on an active work site with a Union-qualified instructor. Rebuild specifically seeks to diversify the city’s building industry by investing in women and people of color who have historically been left out of Philly trade unions.
At 55 years old, with a background in Community Health Education, Marie-Monique is about as non-traditional as a vocational student gets. She’s also an ideal candidate for Rebuild’s workforce training, and indeed her story is a great example of how these programs create new opportunities that are changing the face of Philadelphia’s building industry.
Marie-Monique, in her own words:
I think back on growing up, and the interest has always been there for building and learning how structures came together. My family background was pretty much middle class and “academic” though, so I never thought about carpentry as an occupation. No one in my family or friend network was in construction, everyone went to school so that’s what I did. But I’ve always carried a passion for working with my hands.
I get it from my dad, he was always fixing stuff around the house. He always said you could figure anything out if you took your time and applied yourself. He and my mom owned our home, and they did all the repairs on it themselves. When I bought my home in Germantown, he and I did a lot of work on it together, which was very satisfying.
And I also got involved with volunteering, doing set building at Stagecrafters theater in Chestnut Hill, and I’ve also been involved with The Colored Girls Museum. And I participated in The Building Hero Project at Tiny WPA, a program where you get a lot of hands-on experience in construction and fabrication, where the focus is more community-oriented than commercial.
So all this experience led me to apply to the Carpenter’s Union in 2018 — while I was not successful in getting in, the seed was planted for a new career. When I saw an email about the new Carpentry Academy and what Rebuild was all about, it was like a bright light, leading the way to another opportunity. And I just had to grab my chance.
It was really easy to apply, and it’s been an incredible adventure. I was one of ten students, we did six weeks total: one day in class and the next four at Eastern State Penitentiary, a preserved ruin that requires a lot of maintenance. Our group reinforced skylights but that’s just a tiny part of all we learned. The most valuable lessons I think came from working alongside Union carpenters, and understanding the professional community, and what it takes to establish yourself.
Of the ten of us, seven are now apprentices with Carpenter’s Union Local 158, thanks to Rebuild’s help finding sponsors and navigating the process. As an apprentice, I’m a union member; I now have access to union benefits like healthcare, fair wages, and job security. I’m so excited to be starting this new career.
I have my Rebuild hard hat, with my OSHA 30 cert, my OSHA 10. I’m working on projects around the city, it’s a real feeling of pride and accomplishment. I really hope to inspire new generations who might never have thought about a career in construction. There’s so much building going on in Philadelphia, there’s more than enough good jobs to go around.
REBUILD WORKS! If you’ve ever considered learning a trade and working on city projects, Rebuild offers FREE paid workforce training in nine specializations: carpentry, masonry, finishing, plumbing, sheet metal, iron working, steam fitting, electrician, and sound/communication.
In addition to a base pay of $15/hour @ 40 hours/week, Rebuild also covers learning materials, steel-toe work boots, professional development, and even tools and union dues. Free to apply, open to all Philadelphia residents. *NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY* Learn more at phila.gov, where you can register for email updates and training notifications. Follow @rebuild.phl 👈
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